Plantible’s new Texas facility to scale Rubi Protein production

U.S.A. – Plantible Foods, a Dutch food-tech company focused on sustainable food ingredients, has announced that its first commercial facility in Eldorado, Texas, is now fully operational and entering a new phase of expansion.

Known as ‘Ranchito,’ the facility houses greenhouses, upgraded protein filtration systems, and a new high-yield strain of lemna, the aquatic plant used to produce Plantible’s flagship ingredient,  Rubi Protein.

Rubi Protein is made from lemna, a member of the duckweed family also known as water lentils. Lemna is a resilient and sustainable protein feedstock that can be grown in harsh environments with ten times less water than soya and no arable land requirements, while having a doubling rate of 2-3 days.

The facility is further expected to produce thousands of metric tons of biomass annually, yielding hundreds of metric tons of protein per year.

This output is projected to reduce nearly 8,000 metric tons of CO₂-equivalent emissions annually by replacing animal-based proteins and synthetic ingredients in food products.

The facility’s upgraded modern filtration equipment has reportedly reduced production costs significantly, while increasing throughput, therefore supporting Plantible’s ability to achieve cash flow positivity and scale Rubi Protein production.

Plantible is currently working with key customers, including ICL Group, to integrate Rubi Protein into a range of consumer products. 

The Rubi Protein

Rubi Protein is a neutral-tasting, allergen-free, complete protein with a Protein Digestibility-Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS) score of 1.0, able to provide emulsifying, gelling and binding functionalities. 

Formulators can use the ingredient enhance the texture, nutrition and sensory experience of plant-based meat, dairy, and baked goods.

Paul Peterson, global alternative proteins leader at ICL, noted that plant-based protein formulators have long sought a clean-label, highly functional alternative to chemically derived binders such as methylcellulose.

“In partnership with Plantible Foods, we have been able to leverage our deep knowledge of proteins to create a market-leading binding solution that allows plant-based food manufacturers to meet the needs of even the most demanding consumers,” Peterson said.

Plantible is trialing new duckweed strains to enhance the unit economics, scalability, and affordability of its Rubi Protein, leveraging its expertise in selecting climate-adapted varieties and optimizing growth conditions. 

The company is also seeking additional financing to triple production capacity at its Ranchito facility, with plans to expand operations and hire locally in Eldorado.

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