#United States #Texas #Plantible Foods #Rubi Protein #Eldorado

Plantible Launches Its First Commercial Facility

Eldorado, Texas, August 11, 2025 — Plantible Foods, an innovative biology company focused on transforming the food landscape, has announced that its inaugural commercial facility, named the Ranchito, has officially commenced operations. This milestone is not just a significant development for the company but also a transformative moment for sustainable food production.

The Ranchito, located in Schleicher County, embodies Plantible's ambitious vision of revolutionizing global food systems through sustainable practices. Featuring state-of-the-art greenhouses and advanced protein filtration systems, the facility utilizes a high-yield strain of lemna, or water lentils, to produce Rubi Protein™, its flagship nutrient-dense ingredient. This aquatic plant thrives in various challenging environments, requiring significantly less water compared to traditional crops like soy—around ten times less—and not needing arable land, thus standing as a sustainable protein source.

A Step Towards Sustainable Food Solutions

By introducing high-quality ingredients designed to replace environmentally harmful synthetic components, Plantible is ushering in a new era within the food industry. Unlike many sectors that have embraced advancements and innovations, food production has remained largely stagnant for millennia. Plantible aims to redefine this narrative, paving the way for a food system rooted in science and sustainability.

With expectations to yield thousands of metric tons of biomass annually, the Ranchito has the potential to provide hundreds of metric tons of protein every year. This approach could also help reduce CO₂ emissions by replacing traditional animal protein and synthetic ingredients in food supply chains by nearly 8,000 metric tons annually.

Tony Martens, Co-Founder and CEO of Plantible, remarked, "This marks a defining moment for Plantible, our partners, and the Eldorado community. We are scaling a food system based on scientific principles, sustainability, and shared prosperity, showcasing that resilient food solutions can yield substantial economic opportunities in rural America."

Enhancements and Community Impact

In line with its expansion plans, Plantible has upgraded its filtration technology, crucially decreasing production costs and enhancing throughput. These advancements are vital for achieving financial sustainability at the Ranchito and scaling Rubi Protein production, making nutritious food more accessible.

Currently, Plantible is collaborating with major customers, including ICL, to incorporate Rubi Protein into various products. This complete protein source, which boasts a neutral flavor and no allergens, brings exceptional functional benefits for food formulation, enhancing texture and stability while maintaining an excellent nutritional profile.

Paul Peterson, Global Alternative Proteins Leader at ICL, highlighted the significance of Plantible's product, stating that it provides cleaner, more versatile options for plant-based food manufacturers.

In addition to its production capabilities, Plantible is firmly committed to the local Eldorado community. Since relocating to the region in 2022 for its operational benefits, the company has created over 32 skilled positions and helped raise local median incomes by over 60%. Plantible is actively involved in community development through workforce training and educational partnerships, including internships with Angelo State University aimed at cultivating the next generation of climate innovators.

Future Prospects

As Plantible continues to push the boundaries of agricultural innovation, it has introduced proprietary strains that enhance Rubi yield per acre, marking a significant advancement in sustainability and efficiency. The company is conducting trials to discover new strains that can further improve the scalability and cost-effectiveness of Rubi Protein.

Dr. Chris Phillips, VP of Research, explained, "We focus on identifying strains best suited for local climate conditions and tailoring our growth environments to maximize protein production and product quality."

Moreover, Plantible is seeking additional funding to further expand the Ranchito facility's capacity by threefold, enabling it to meet customer demands effectively. A recent ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrated this momentous achievement, attended by community leaders, employees, and partners.

Dr. Russell Jessup, Director at Texas A&M Agrilife Research, emphasized the importance of Plantible's innovative approach during the event.

As production ramps up, Plantible aims to invest even more in Eldorado—expanding operations, hiring locally, and advocating for a more sustainable food system.

About Plantible

Founded by Dutch entrepreneurs Tony Martens and Maurits van de Ven, Plantible Foods is committed to unlocking the potential of plant-based ingredients to promote health and environmental sustainability. Its mission is to reconstruct the global food system, starting with Rubi Protein™, which is sustainably grown and rich in essential nutrients.

With its first commercial site up and running, Plantible represents a new model of food innovation that is regenerative, cost-efficient, scalable, and community-oriented.