CHS Cooperative breaks ground on $700M soybean plant in Evansville

CHS Cooperative has broken ground on a $700 million soybean crushing facility in Evansville, Wisconsin. This project marks the state’s first soybean crushing facility.

Brian Schouvieller, Senior Vice President of Product Lines & Ag Business for CHS, stated that the project has been in development for three years following the acquisition of the property. Construction is currently underway, with expectations for the plant to be operational by the end of 2028.

The decision to move forward was driven by shifting market conditions, specifically the EPA’s Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) policy. This policy has increased the demand for soybean oil as a feedstock for bio-based diesel, alongside strong demand for food and animal feed meal. The Evansville location offers strategic advantages due to its proximity to Mankato, Minnesota, allowing for the transport of oil to an existing CHS refinery via the Union Pacific railroad.