Benson Hill’s Third Annual ESG Report Spotlights Transformation and Innovation

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Benson Hill (NYSE: BHIL) has released its third annual ESG Report, highlighting its 2023 milestones and achievements in environmental, social, and governance areas. This year, Benson Hill has transitioned from an asset-heavy model to an asset-light one, focusing on licensing and partnerships to scale operations efficiently. CEO Deanie Elsner emphasized the company's commitment to ESG principles, innovation in soy quality traits, and meeting global demand for nutritious and sustainable feed, food, and fuel.

The report outlines significant business transformations, such as expanded market opportunities in feed and fuel, and the successful divestiture of soy processing assets. Key partnerships include collaborations with BioMar and Corteva Agriscience, as well as the recognition of technology leader Bob Koester with the Mockler Innovator Award. The company also detailed its intellectual property strategy and innovation platforms aimed at driving growth in various market segments. For comprehensive insights, visit Benson Hill's impact page.

Company drives ESG principles during strategic shift to serve new end markets in soy

ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Benson Hill, Inc. (NYSE: BHIL, the “Company” or “Benson Hill”), a seed innovation company, today released its third annual Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report. The online report includes comprehensive data and ESG milestones achieved during 2023, a year of significant progress and change for Benson Hill.

Benson Hill, Inc. (NYSE: BHIL, the “Company” or “Benson Hill”), a seed innovation company, today released its third annual Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report. The online report includes comprehensive data and ESG milestones achieved during 2023, a year of significant progress and change for Benson Hill. (Graphic: Business Wire)

“As we transition from an asset-heavy, closed-loop model to an asset-light model based on licensing and partnerships, we focus on scaling our operations through strategic partnerships across the value chain. These partnerships let us leverage existing infrastructure more efficiently while keeping our commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles,” said Deanie Elsner, Chief Executive Officer of Benson Hill. “Our 2023 ESG Report shows how Benson Hill is beginning to realize the positive results from our business transformation, and we look forward to delivering seed innovation that unlocks potential, generates value, and improves our environmental performance.”

The online report represents progress, ESG metrics, and key accomplishments that not only underscore the Company’s commitment to leading the pace of innovation in soy quality traits, but also support its vision to meet the global demand for more nutritious, sustainable, and energy-dense feed, food, and fuel through seed innovation. Highlights include:

• A detailed look at Benson Hill’s business transformation in 2023, which is aimed at moving the Company beyond food markets into broadacre opportunities in feed and fuel, bringing ESG benefits to more acres;
• A spotlight on Benson Hill’s second annual Mockler Innovator Award recipient Bob Koester, a technology leader who has made substantial contributions to Benson Hill through creative problem-solving, scientific excellence, and an entrepreneurial mindset;
• A compilation of business milestones, such as the successful divestitures of soy processing assets in late 2023 and early 2024 that reflect the team’s focus on execution and financial discipline;
• A review of key partnerships such as the strategic collaboration with Denmark-based BioMar to use Benson Hill soy and further assess its sustainability impact, and a commercial license agreement with Corteva Agriscience and M.S. Technologies L.L.C. for Enlist E3® soybean technology;
• A fresh focus on intellectual property, detailing how Benson Hill reduces risk for new product launches, proprietary seed varieties, and novel discoveries;
• An overview of the five innovation platforms the Company’s technology team developed to drive growth across multiple market segments, including animal feed, consumer packaged goods, and pet food; and
• A discussion of how Benson Hill is “harvesting for tomorrow” by combining natural resource management in daily operations, supporting soil health, and working with farmers who are using regenerative agriculture practices.

For more information on Benson Hill’s impact and to download the full ESG report, please visit https://www.bensonhill.com/impact.

About Benson Hill

Benson Hill is a seed innovation company that unlocks nature’s genetic diversity in soy quality traits through a combination of its proprietary genetics, its AI-driven CropOS^® technology platform, and its Crop Accelerator. Benson Hill collaborates with strategic partners to create value throughout the agribusiness supply chain to meet the demand for better feed, food, and fuel. For more information, visit bensonhill.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter at @bensonhillinc.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release may be considered “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or the Company’s future financial or operating performance and may be identified by words such as “may,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,” “will,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “predict,” or similar words. Forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions made by the Company as of the date hereof and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, among other things, statements regarding the anticipated benefits of the Company’s sustainability and ESG initiatives, statements regarding the anticipated ESG impact of the Company’s products, statements regarding the Company’s strategy, risk profile and plans for growth, statements regarding the expected future demand for the Company’s products, statements regarding the expected future performance of the Company’s technologies, statements regarding the Company’s transition to an asset-light business model to serve broadacre animal feed markets, statements regarding strategic partnership and licensing opportunities, and statements regarding the Company’s ability to realize anticipated benefits from relationships with third parties, Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to: risks associated with the Company’s ability to execute on its business strategy, risks relating to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, risks associated with the failure to realize the anticipated commercial and nutritional benefits of the Company’s products, product candidates and innovation pipeline, risks associated with the Company’s ability to achieve its sustainability and ESG goals, risks associated with the Company’s ability to maintain relationships with its customers, suppliers and strategic partners, risks associated with changing industry conditions and consumer preferences, risks associated with the effectiveness of the Company’s risk management strategies and other risks and uncertainties set forth in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, which is available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. There may be additional risks about which the Company is presently unaware or that the Company currently believes are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. The reader should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. The Company expressly disclaims any duty to update these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240709716806/en/

Media Contact:

Christi Dixon

636-359-0797

cdixon@bensonhill.com

Media Kit

Source: Benson Hill, Inc.

FAQ

What are the key highlights of Benson Hill's 2023 ESG Report?

Benson Hill's 2023 ESG Report highlights its transition to an asset-light model, strategic partnerships, business milestones such as divesting soy processing assets, and innovations in soy quality traits.

How is Benson Hill transitioning its business model?

Benson Hill is moving from an asset-heavy, closed-loop model to an asset-light model focused on licensing and partnerships, aiming to scale operations more efficiently.

What are Benson Hill's major partnerships mentioned in the 2023 ESG Report?

Major partnerships include collaborations with BioMar for sustainability assessments and a commercial license agreement with Corteva Agriscience for Enlist E3 soybean technology.

What awards and recognitions are noted in Benson Hill's ESG Report?

The report spotlights Bob Koester, who received the second annual Mockler Innovator Award for his contributions to technology and innovation.

What business milestones has Benson Hill achieved according to the 2023 ESG Report?

Benson Hill successfully divested soy processing assets and focused on execution and financial discipline to support its strategic shift.

How is Benson Hill addressing intellectual property in its 2023 ESG Report?

The report details Benson Hill's strategy to reduce risks for new product launches and highlights proprietary seed varieties and novel discoveries.

What market segments is Benson Hill targeting with its innovation platforms?

Benson Hill's innovation platforms target market segments including animal feed, consumer packaged goods, and pet food.

How does Benson Hill support environmental sustainability in its operations?

Benson Hill combines natural resource management, supports soil health, and collaborates with farmers using regenerative agriculture practices.