Bunge Chevron Ag Renewables to Build New Oilseed Processing Plant in Destrehan, Louisiana

Rhea-AI Summary

Bunge (BG) and Chevron (CVX) approve a final investment decision for Bunge Chevron Ag Renewables to build a new oilseed processing plant in Destrehan, LA. The plant aims to process soybeans and softseeds, including novel winter oilseed crops, to meet the rising demand for renewable fuel feedstocks. The facility is set to be operational in 2026, creating jobs and supporting feed and protein markets.

Insights

Market Research Analyst

The joint venture between Bunge and Chevron to build a new oilseed processing plant represents a strategic move to capitalize on the growing demand for renewable fuel feedstocks. This development is indicative of a broader industry trend where companies are investing heavily in renewable energy sources to meet both regulatory requirements and market demand for cleaner energy alternatives. The flexible design of the plant to process various types of oilseeds, including novel crops, suggests a forward-thinking approach to supply chain diversification and innovation.

From a market perspective, this expansion could enhance the competitive positioning of Bunge Chevron Ag Renewables by increasing its production capacity and potentially reducing costs through economies of scale. The addition of 30 new jobs upon the plant's completion also signals a positive economic impact at the local level. Furthermore, the investment aligns with environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria, which are increasingly influencing investment decisions and stock valuations.

Energy Sector Analyst

The announcement of Bunge and Chevron's investment decision is particularly significant for the energy sector, as it underscores the shift towards renewable fuel sources. The new plant's capability to process softseeds and novel winter oilseed crops aligns with the industry's need for innovation in feedstock production to support sustainable fuel alternatives. The operational goal set for 2026 positions the joint venture as a future key player in the renewable fuels market.

For stakeholders, this move suggests a long-term strategy aimed at reducing carbon intensity in transportation fuels. Chevron's involvement and its rights to purchase oil for transportation fuel manufacturing could potentially lead to more efficient and cleaner fuel options in the market, which is in line with global carbon reduction goals. This could enhance Chevron's reputation as a leader in energy transition and potentially improve its market share in the renewables sector.

Environmental Policy Expert

The environmental implications of this investment are profound. By focusing on renewable fuel feedstocks, Bunge Chevron Ag Renewables is contributing to the reduction of lifecycle carbon intensity in transportation fuels. This initiative supports national and international climate goals by providing a tangible pathway to decrease reliance on fossil fuels. The plant's ability to process a diverse range of oilseeds, including CoverCress, which can be grown as a cover crop, also suggests potential agricultural benefits such as soil health improvement and better crop rotations.

The joint venture's strategic direction is aligned with the increasing regulatory pressure to transition towards low-carbon energy sources. This proactive approach not only mitigates future regulatory risks but also positions the company favorably in the eyes of environmentally-conscious investors and consumers who prioritize sustainability in their purchasing decisions.

ST. LOUIS & SAN RAMON, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Bunge (NYSE:BG) and Chevron (NYSE: CVX) today announced approval of a final investment decision for their joint venture Bunge Chevron Ag Renewables LLC to build a new oilseed processing plant adjacent to its existing processing facility located on the Gulf Coast in Destrehan, LA. The announcement was celebrated with a groundbreaking event at the site.

The plant features a flexible design, intended to allow it to process soybeans as well as softseeds, including novel winter oilseed crops, such as winter canola and CoverCress, among others. Expected to be operational in 2026, the processing facility aims to add scale and efficiencies to Bunge Chevron Ag Renewables, that will allow the company to better meet the increased market demand for renewable fuel feedstocks. The plant is also intended to support the growing feed and protein markets through the production of meal products.

“This new facility is another step in our long-term strategy to improve our capabilities at scale for the renewable fuels market and to reduce the carbon intensity of our own and our customers' value chains,” said Luciano Salvatierra, Bunge’s Senior Vice-President, Renewable Fuels.

The expansion is expected to create more than 150 construction jobs and add 30 new jobs when the plant is operational.

“Having greater ability to process softseeds, including novel winter oilseed crops, will help advance our innovation in the feedstock space and meet the growing demand for renewable fuels,” said Stacey Orlandi, director, Manufacturing, Chevron Renewable Energy Group. “Investments like this one help support farmers and consumers while reducing the lifecycle carbon intensity for transportation fuels.”

Bunge Chevron Ag Renewables is focused on developing renewable fuel feedstocks leveraging Bunge’s expertise in oilseed processing and farmer relationships and Chevron’s expertise in renewable fuels production and marketing. Under the joint venture agreement, Bunge operates the JV’s processing plants in Destrehan and Cairo, Ill.; Chevron has purchase rights for the oil to use as feedstock to manufacture transportation fuels with lower lifecycle carbon intensity.

About Bunge

At Bunge (NYSE: BG), our purpose is to connect farmers to consumers to deliver essential food, feed and fuel to the world. With more than two centuries of experience, unmatched global scale and deeply rooted relationships, we work to strengthen global food security, increase sustainability where we operate, and help communities prosper. As the world’s leader in oilseed processing and a leading producer and supplier of specialty plant-based oils and fats, we value our partnerships with farmers to bring quality products from where they’re grown to where they’re consumed. At the same time, we collaborate with our customers to develop tailored and innovative solutions to meet evolving dietary needs and trends in every part of the world. Our Company has its registered office in Geneva, Switzerland and its corporate headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri. We have approximately 23,000 dedicated employees working across approximately 300 facilities located in more than 40 countries.

About Chevron

Chevron is one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies. We believe affordable, reliable and ever-cleaner energy is essential to enabling human progress. Chevron produces crude oil and natural gas; manufactures transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and additives; and develops technologies that enhance our business and the industry. We aim to grow our oil and gas business, lower the carbon intensity of our operations and grow lower carbon businesses in renewable fuels, carbon capture and offsets, hydrogen and other emerging technologies. More information about Chevron is available at www.chevron.com.

Website Information

We routinely post important information for investors on our website, www.bunge.com, in the "Investors" section. We may use this website as a means of disclosing material, non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor the Investors section of our website, in addition to following our press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, presentations and webcasts. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, our website is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this document.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS RELEVANT TO FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF “SAFE HARBOR” PROVISIONS OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to Chevron’s operations and energy transition plans that are based on management’s current expectations, estimates and projections about the petroleum, chemicals and other energy-related industries. Words or phrases such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “targets,” “advances,” “commits,” “drives,” “aims,” “forecasts,” “projects,” “believes,” “approaches,” “seeks,” “schedules,” “estimates,” “positions,” “pursues,” “progress,” “may,” “can,” “could,” “should,” “will,” “budgets,” “outlook,” “trends,” “guidance,” “focus,” “on track,” “goals,” “objectives,” “strategies,” “opportunities,” “poised,” “potential,” “ambitions,” “aspires” and similar expressions, and variations or negatives of these words, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements, but not all forward-looking statements include such words. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the company’s control and are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. The reader should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this news release. Unless legally required, Chevron undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are: changing crude oil and natural gas prices and demand for the company’s products, and production curtailments due to market conditions; crude oil production quotas or other actions that might be imposed by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and other producing countries; technological advancements; changes to government policies in the countries in which the company operates; public health crises, such as pandemics and epidemics, and any related government policies and actions; disruptions in the company’s global supply chain, including supply chain constraints and escalation of the cost of goods and services; changing economic, regulatory and political environments in the various countries in which the company operates; general domestic and international economic, market and political conditions, including the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the war between Israel and Hamas and the global response to these hostilities; changing refining, marketing and chemicals margins; actions of competitors or regulators; timing of exploration expenses; timing of crude oil liftings; the competitiveness of alternate-energy sources or product substitutes; development of large carbon capture and offset markets; the results of operations and financial condition of the company’s suppliers, vendors, partners and equity affiliates; the inability or failure of the company’s joint-venture partners to fund their share of operations and development activities; the potential failure to achieve expected net production from existing and future crude oil and natural gas development projects; potential delays in the development, construction or start-up of planned projects; the potential disruption or interruption of the company’s operations due to war, accidents, political events, civil unrest, severe weather, cyber threats, terrorist acts, or other natural or human causes beyond the company’s control; the potential liability for remedial actions or assessments under existing or future environmental regulations and litigation; significant operational, investment or product changes undertaken or required by existing or future environmental statutes and regulations, including international agreements and national or regional legislation and regulatory measures related to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change; the potential liability resulting from pending or future litigation; the ability to successfully integrate the operations of the company and PDC Energy, Inc. and achieve the anticipated benefits from the transaction, including the expected incremental annual free cash flow; the risk that Hess Corporation (Hess) stockholders do not approve the potential transaction, and the risk that regulatory approvals are not obtained or are obtained subject to conditions that are not anticipated by the company and Hess; uncertainties as to whether the potential transaction will be consummated on the anticipated timing or at all, or if consummated, will achieve its anticipated economic benefits, including as a result of regulatory proceedings and risks associated with third party contracts containing material consent, anti-assignment, transfer or other provisions that may be related to the potential transaction that are not waived or otherwise satisfactorily resolved; the company’s ability to integrate Hess’ operations in a successful manner and in the expected time period; the possibility that any of the anticipated benefits and projected synergies of the potential transaction will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected time period; the company’s future acquisitions or dispositions of assets or shares or the delay or failure of such transactions to close based on required closing conditions; the potential for gains and losses from asset dispositions or impairments; government mandated sales, divestitures, recapitalizations, taxes and tax audits, tariffs, sanctions, changes in fiscal terms or restrictions on scope of company operations; foreign currency movements compared with the U.S. dollar; higher inflation and related impacts; material reductions in corporate liquidity and access to debt markets; changes to the company’s capital allocation strategies; the effects of changed accounting rules under generally accepted accounting principles promulgated by rule-setting bodies; the company’s ability to identify and mitigate the risks and hazards inherent in operating in the global energy industry; and the factors set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” on pages 20 through 26 of the company’s 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K and in subsequent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Other unpredictable or unknown factors not discussed in this news release could also have material adverse effects on forward-looking statements.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240304213899/en/

Grace Larkey

grace.larkey@chevron.com

(515) 766-8524

Bunge News Bureau

news@bunge.com

(914) 272-0297

Source: Chevron Corporation

FAQ

What companies are involved in the joint venture to build a new oilseed processing plant in Destrehan, LA?

Bunge (BG) and Chevron (CVX)

What is the purpose of the new oilseed processing plant?

To process soybeans and softseeds, including novel winter oilseed crops, to meet the increased market demand for renewable fuel feedstocks.

When is the processing facility expected to be operational?

In 2026

How many new jobs are expected to be created by the expansion?

More than 150 construction jobs and 30 new jobs when the plant is operational

What expertise do Bunge and Chevron bring to the joint venture?

Bunge brings expertise in oilseed processing and farmer relationships, while Chevron brings expertise in renewable fuels production and marketing.