MARSHALL — A technology company working to find plant-based replacements for substances made from fossil fuels will be teaming up with the Archer Daniels Midland plant in Marshall. This week, ADM announced that it is partnering with climate technology company Solugen.

Solugen plans to build a 500,000 square-foot biomanufacturing facility next to the ADM corn plant in Marshall. In a news release, Solugen said it plans to start construction on the facility in early 2024. The initial phase of the project is expected to create at least 40 permanent jobs and another 100 temporary construction jobs.

The Solugen facility will use dextrose – a type of sugar – produced by ADM to scale its current line of lower-carbon organic acids, and develop new molecules to replace fossil fuel-based materials. The two companies also plan to collaborate on ways to commercialize these new biomaterials for applications ranging from water treatment to agriculture, construction materials, and more.

“Sustainability is core to our purpose as a company and to our strategic growth,” said David Rice, director of innovation and technology for ADM. Rice said partnering with Solugen offers ADM another way to diversify the products made from the corn processed by ADM, as well as a way to be part of growing categories of plant-based solutions.

“By partnering with Solugen, we will take full advantage of the corn plant’s grind capacity and unique dextrose capabilities,” Rice said.

“We do not anticipate it will significantly change the operations of the corn plant,” he said of the partnership.

Representatives from Solugen said Marshall would make a good place for the new facility.

“With a robust and cost-competitive supply of corn, alongside advanced corn-to-dextrose conversion technology, Marshall is the ideal location to support the scale of Solugen’s products,” said Gaurab Chakrabarti, co-founder and CEO of Solugen. “The city boasts a vibrant community, a skilled workforce, and a proactive approach from local and regional governments, all eager to welcome innovative, high-tech industries.”

“As a community with a strong foundation of agriculture and innovation, we look forward to welcoming Solugen to Marshall. This industry-leading facility will serve as a powerful economic driver for the city, creating new jobs and diversifying our industry,” Marshall Mayor Bob Byrnes said in a news release. “We are thankful for ADM’s longstanding commitment and impact to Marshall, which has paved the way for this remarkable partnership and continues to further economic growth to our region.”