Illinois officials on Monday marked the completion of Incobrasa Industries’ new soybean processing plant and solar array in Gilman, a $250 million expansion aimed at boosting the state’s soybean processing capacity and renewable fuel production.
The project adds a 170,000-square-foot processing facility adjacent to Incobrasa’s existing operations, doubling the company’s production capacity and allowing it to process nearly 100 million bushels of soybeans each year.
State leaders said the investment strengthens Illinois’ position as the nation’s top soybean-producing state while expanding its role in biofuels, food processing and advanced agricultural manufacturing.
The new crush plant is designed to process 300,000 bushels of soybeans per day, making it one of the largest extraction operations in the United States. Company officials said the facility will provide a stable market for about 7,000 local family farms.
The plant converts soybeans into soybean meal for animal feed and soybean oil for biodiesel and other renewable fuel products. Officials said the expanded capacity is expected to support growing global demand for renewable fuels and soybean-based products.
The project is expected to create 40 full-time jobs while retaining 200 existing positions.
In addition to the processing expansion, Incobrasa built a 50-acre solar array with a generating capacity of five megawatts. The system can supply power directly to the plant or feed electricity into the grid.
Illinois officials said the investment aligns with the state’s economic growth strategy, which prioritizes agriculture, food processing and ag technology as key sectors for development.
Illinois ranks as the nation’s largest soybean producer and the fourth-largest biodiesel producer, giving it a strong position in the renewable fuels market. State officials noted global renewable fuel demand is projected to rise 28% between 2021 and 2026.
The expansion was supported by Illinois’ Economic Development for a Growing Economy, or EDGE, program, which provides incentives for business growth and job creation. State officials said companies participating in the program in 2026 have committed to creating more than 5,000 jobs and investing nearly $2.5 billion statewide.
Incobrasa’s expansion is expected to strengthen soybean demand in central Illinois while increasing production of feed ingredients and biodiesel inputs for domestic and export markets.
Source: Office of Governor J.B. Pritzker, "Gov. Pritzker Cuts Ribbon on $250 Million Incobrasa Expansion"