SunOpta Opens New Beverage Manufacturing Facility in Texas
SunOpta, a producer of branded and private label plant-based, organic specialty food and beverage products, is expanding its production capacity.
The company has opened its new 285,000-square-foot plant-based beverage production facility in Midlothian, Texas, where the company's entire portfolio of plant-based milks and creamers will be manufactured, along with tea and other products.
SunOpta’s beverage sizes include 6 ounce and 32 ounce packages typically used in food service, shelf-stable retail, and e-commerce for plant-based milk products, and 330 milliliter packages used primarily in high-protein nutritional beverages.
“This plant is an important part of SunOpta’s long-term goals and a powerful next step in our company vision,” said Joe Ennen, CEO of SunOpta. “The fully-equipped and state-of-the-art facility will enhance our manufacturing and supply chain capabilities. In addition, through innovation and our dedication to sustainability, we can respond to the increasing nationwide demand for plant-based food and beverages.”
Located in the Dallas-Forth Worth metropolitan area, the strategically located facility was designed with SunOpta’s sustainability initiatives in mind. The plant’s regional location will reduce more than 15 million freight miles annually and save 59 million pounds of carbon emissions, according to the company.
In addition, the facility is equipped with water reuse equipment that can save up to 20 million gallons of water a year, an energy-efficient HVAC system that reduces energy consumption by 45%, LED lights and water heaters that reduce power usage by 95%, and offices and labs constructed with at least 40% recyclable materials.
By 2025, SunOpta said it aims to double its plant-based business and has invested nearly $200 million in its plant-based production capacity in the last three years to support. The new facility is bringing up to 175 new jobs to the Midlothian area.
SunOpta operates its other manufacturing plants in California, Minnesota and Pennsylvania.