BY ANGELA K. ROBERTS
PHOTOS PROVIDED
A new chapter in sustainable manufacturing is set to unfold in Greater Lafayette as chemical company Sustainea prepares to invest $400 million in the construction of its first industrial facility in the United States. The plant, expected to begin production in 2028, will be a key player in the global shift toward bio-based chemicals and sustainable manufacturing.
The project is poised to boost the regional economy, create new workforce opportunities and enrich research efforts, leveraging Greater Lafayette’s educational institutions and Indiana’s growing agrobiosciences sector.
The cradle of new technology Sustainea will use advanced biotechnologies to convert plant-based dextrose into Bio-MEG (monoethylene glycol), a plant-based alternative to petroleum-based MEG used primarily in the production of polyester textiles and beverage bottles.
The planned Indiana facility marks a major step toward the company’s goal of becoming the global leader in Bio-MEG production. “Lafayette, Indiana, U.S., will be the cradle of this technology,” says Gustavo Sergi, Sustainea CEO.
Sustainea’s plant will be co-located with Primient, a leading producer of food and industrial ingredients made from plant-based, renewable sources. The two companies share visions of sustainable manufacturing and long-term innovation.
Leveraging strengths of two companies
Primient will supply the plant with dextrose derived from locally grown corn. The partnership will leverage the strengths of both companies to create a sustainable, circular supply chain from farm to finished product while reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering the carbon footprint of the PET (polyethylene terephthalate) industry.
“Long-term strategic partnerships have always been a part of the vision for growth and development at Primient,” says Travis Montoya, plant manager for Primient’s Lafayette facility. “They allow us to maximize efficiency by running at top manufacturing rates. Ultimately, this reinforces Primient’s commitment to sustainability and the Lafayette region by ensuring development for future opportunities.”
Co-location of their facilities will maximize efficiencies, further increasing sustainability. “Our environmental stewardship and reduced carbon footprint are critical to project success,” Montoya says.
Access to raw materials
Sustainea’s decision to break ground in Lafayette followed an in-depth evaluation of various factors, from access to raw materials and infrastructure to the availability of a skilled workforce. Indiana’s thriving agrobiosciences sector, bolstered by Purdue University’s engineering and technology programs, played a significant role in the company’s choice of location.
“Lafayette has a diverse source of industry,” Sergi says. “We believe we can easily find and attract people to our plant. It’s very exciting to have a first-of-its-kind plant.” An engineer himself, Sergi says the chance to work in a new facility on innovative technology should be a draw for talent.
The availability of corn nearby will be pivotal to the company’s supply chain, opening up new markets for local producers. Indiana is one of the largest corn-producing states in the nation. The state’s corn farmers will be key suppliers to Primient, which will convert the crop to dextrose and then deliver to Sustainea next door.
“Growing corn and soybeans is a big part of our regional economy,” says Paul Moses, vice president of economic and workforce development at Greater Lafayette Commerce. “Any time you can bring in a company that’s buying more corn or using more corn products like Primient, that’s great news for us, including our local farmers.”
A boost for local employment
Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski says that Sustainea’s decision to build here aligns with the city’s long-term vision for growth and innovation. “They will bring $400 million of new investments into our community and create a significant number of new local jobs,” he says.
The new plant will create up to 191 high-wage, full-time positions over the next few years, with most jobs in engineering, operations and logistics. In addition, the construction phase is expected to generate around 650 indirect jobs, further benefiting the region’s economy.
Sustainea is committed to tapping into the local talent pool, drawing from Purdue University and Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana while also upskilling workers in advanced manufacturing and chemical engineering. As part of its workforce development strategy, the company is partnering with the Greater Lafayette Career Academy and West Central Indiana Career and Technical Education to create training programs for local workers.
The research connection
In addition to preparing students for jobs at Sustainea, Purdue also is positioned to contribute to the company’s research.
Fabio H. Ribeiro, the W. Nicholas and Elizabeth H. Delgass Distinguished Professor in Chemical Engineering at Purdue University, directs CISTAR (Center for Innovative and Strategic Transformation of Alkane Resources), a multi-institutional collaboration dedicated to sustainable innovation, and co-chairs LEAPS (Leading Energy-Transition Advances and Pathways to Sustainability), a Purdue initiative.
A boost for local employment
Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski says that Sustainea’s decision to build here aligns with the city’s long-term vision for growth and innovation. “They will bring $400 million of new investments into our community and create a significant number of new local jobs,” he says.
The new plant will create up to 191 high-wage, full-time positions over the next few years, with most jobs in engineering, operations and logistics. In addition, the construction phase is expected to generate around 650 indirect jobs, further benefiting the region’s economy.
Sustainea is committed to tapping into the local talent pool, drawing from Purdue University and Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana while also upskilling workers in advanced manufacturing and chemical engineering. As part of its workforce development strategy, the company is partnering with the Greater Lafayette Career Academy and West Central Indiana Career and Technical Education to create training programs for local workers.
The research connection
In addition to preparing students for jobs at Sustainea, Purdue also is positioned to contribute to the company’s research.
Fabio H. Ribeiro, the W. Nicholas and Elizabeth H. Delgass Distinguished Professor in Chemical Engineering at Purdue University, directs CISTAR (Center for Innovative and Strategic Transformation of Alkane Resources), a multi-institutional collaboration dedicated to sustainable innovation, and co-chairs LEAPS (Leading Energy-Transition Advances and Pathways to Sustainability), a Purdue initiative.
“The Bio-MEG project represents a cutting-edge use of bio-resources to produce monoethylene glycol, a critical chemical used in products ranging from plastics to textiles,” Ribeiro says. “Sustainea’s innovative process, combined with Primient’s highly efficient precursor production, creates a unique cost and sustainability advantage. This project is poised to be a benchmark for reducing dependency on non-renewable sources.”
Purdue University can significantly contribute to the initiative in two key areas, he says:
- Process optimization and scalability: The university can leverage its expertise to enhance efficiency,
minimize waste and transfer learning to other
bio-based manufacturing processes. - Multidisciplinary innovation: Drawing from
Purdue’s capabilities in agriculture, engineering, energy transition, lifecycle assessment and economic
analysis, the university aims to create a living
laboratory where faculty and students tackle practical
challenges.
“By embedding this project within Purdue’s broader ecosystem — one enriched by renewable energy, smart energy distribution, carbon sequestration and a vibrant biomanufacturing sector — we aspire to position Lafayette as the Midwest’s epicenter for sustainable biomanufacturing,” Ribeiro says.
“This collaboration will not only shape the next generation of researchers but also establish pathways for sustainable economic growth and industrial leadership.” ★
