Archer Daniels Midland Co. (ADM) has successfully crushed its first non-genetically modified organism (GMO) soybeans at its facility in Spyck in northwestern Germany.

Located close to the border with Holland, the site was previously used to crush only rape and sunflower seeds. The new switch capacity is part of ADM's long-term strategy to expand its network of European soy processing plants, enabling it to better service its soybean meal customers and support local farmers in increasing the region's soybean acreage.

“The extended soybean crushing capacity in Spyck will help us meet customer demand as the European non-GMO soybean market continues to grow,” said Jon Turney, ADM general manager, European soybean crush. “The additional flexibility that we now have also gives us the ability to quickly respond to changing market dynamics for rape, sunflower and soy in the future.”

ADM also crushes non-GMO soybeans at its facility in Straubing, Germany. In the past year, it has been working with farmers and industry accreditation bodies to create further opportunities to grow and market soybeans across northwestern Europe.

“We are committed to growing the soybean industry in this region, and we are working hard to help farmers in France and along the Danube see the value of growing soybeans within their rotation,” said Rene van der Poel, ADM's commercial manager for oilseeds in Germany.

“It is a great achievement for the team in Spyck to execute this latest step in our growth strategy both on time and on budget. Flexible crush capacities, scale and carefully managed production costs per unit all remain key to our ongoing success in the region over the long term,” said John Grossmann, president, European crush and origination.