SunOpta’s New Plant Adds Sustainability, Efficiency, and Growing Room

I’m Aaron Hand, editor in chief at ProFood world. We’re out in Midlothian Texas this month at SunOpta’s new facility.

It’s a 286,000 square foot facility where they’re making plant-based milks, some teas, and some protein drinks with equipment from Tetra Pak. 

Construction of the aseptic facility began in fall 2021, and SunOpta innovated its way through supply chain and other challenges to beat an 18-month deadline to secure a new business deal – adding a line of 330 mL protein drinks to its portfolio.

The new facility also lowers SunOpta’s carbon footprint. Its location alone saves 15 million freight miles and 59 million pounds of carbon emissions annually, and the plant is designed to conserve water and power. It even operates its own wastewater treatment plant. 

That’s all with extra space to expand, as the site can handle another 150,000 square foot building expansion as demand grows.