Greenleaf Foods, SPC, Chicago, announced plans to construct what is said to be North America’s largest plant-based protein manufacturing facility. The 230,000-square-foot facility, situated in Shelbyville, Ind., will more than double the company’s production capacity to meet demand for its portfolio of brands, including Lightlife and Field Roast Grain Meat Co.

The $310 million facility, slated to become operational in late 2020, will create 460 jobs on the 57-acre property, and can be expanded to meet future market growth. The new facility will also extend the company’s network of production facilities, which includes facilities in Seattle, Wash., and Turners Falls, Mass. In addition, the company plans to invest in equipment to increase capacity and scale production at its existing facilities.

“Our new facility will be a center of plant-based protein excellence that helps accelerate our company’s growth. This will support our rich pipeline of innovative products that both satisfy increasing consumer demand and drive our continued leadership of this dynamic category in the U.S. and Canada into the future,” says Dan Curtin, president. “Our world-class research and development teams are shattering what were once thought to be the culinary boundaries of plant-based protein products, and our new facility will take those ideas from development to commercialization. We are grateful for the incredible support from the State of Indiana, as well as Shelby County and the City of Shelbyville who have helped make this a reality.”

Greenleaf Foods, SPC is a wholly-owned, independent subsidiary of Maple Leaf Foods Inc., Canada.