CJ BIO has completed an additional increment of threonine capacity at the company’s Fort Dodge, Iowa plant. CJ announced in August of 2020 the completion of the FDA evaluation for Thr Pro, an 80% active granular source of L-threonine, with residual biomass.  

“Initial plant capacity was 20,000 metric tons which required an investment of $50 million. Through process enhancements, additional permitting, and efficiency improvements, our team is now producing at 30,000 metric tons per year,” said Joe Lucas, Vice President and General Manager of Animal Nutrition and Health at CJ America. “Based on the commercial acceptance of Thr Pro, we are also pleased to announce approval for an additional 20,000 metric tons of capacity, which we will bring on stream in the second quarter of 2022.”

Lucas said the company is investing another $20 million over the next eighteen months to achieve a total threonine capacity of 50,000 metric tons.

“The investment will also allow CJ to begin valine production at the Fort Dodge plant,” he added.   

Harry Jang, Head of CJ BIO for North and South America, commented, “We are committed to continue the expansion of our North America operations in the state of Iowa to optimize efficient operations and better serve customers.”

CJ BIO is a division of CJ CheilJedang, a core subsidiary in charge of the food and bioengineering business Unit of the CJ Group. CJ Group has developed its business portfolio into four core sectors – Food & Food Service, Bio & Pharma, Entertainment & Media, and Retail & Logistics.