Viserion Oilseed Processing to acquire Barcelona soya crush plant from Cargill

In a move set to make waves in the European commodities market, Viserion Oilseed Processing, LLC, an offshoot of Viserion International, has confirmed its plans via its Elian Barcelona S.L. subsidiary to acquire the esteemed Soya Crush Plant in Barcelona from industry titan Cargill Inc. Located at the prime Moll Álvarez de la Campa spot in Barcelona, this soybean crushing facility is pivotal to the global supply chain, especially for the food ingredient and feed sectors spanning the Catalan, Spanish, and European domains.

Revitalizing European Food Security with Sustainable Focus

Under Elian Barcelona’s strategic oversight, the facility is poised to undergo an ambitious makeover. The goal? To bolster its output capacities, diversifying into a spectrum of sustainable food and specialty feed ingredients, emphasizing textured and concentrated protein. Such initiatives are slated to fortify the farm-to-food product chain, catering to both European and Mediterranean consumer bases. As a commitment to workforce continuity, existing employees will retain their roles, with imminent headcount augmentations in the pipeline, reflecting the expansion in plant production activities.

Speaking on this pivotal acquisition, Andres Martin, the driving force behind Elian Barcelona, articulated, “Our focus is steadfast on sustainability and resilience. With this key acquisition, and backed by Viserion’s unparalleled expertise and resources, we’re set to revolutionize food system trends in Europe, enhance food security, and mitigate supply chain hiccups. Our vision is a greener, healthier, and more sustainable food landscape.”

Strategic Integration and Future Aspirations

Viserion International, with its extensive global presence, views this acquisition as a reaffirmation of its dedication to the European market. Aaron Wiegand, Viserion International’s CEO, highlighted the intent to harness their robust U.S. infrastructure, synergizing it with the Barcelona facility, thereby fostering an organic and opportunistic growth trajectory for the brand.

Echoing similar sentiments, Jason Kellman from Pinnacle Asset Management observed, “This acquisition cements our belief in Viserion’s vision for a robust European feed and food product supply chain. We’re thrilled to onboard the Elian Barcelona faction and are eager to infuse our commodities and merchanting business expertise to bolster the Viserion blueprint.”

The deal is scheduled for closure in Q1 2024, contingent on the green light from the Barcelona Port Authority.