Monsanto Grants Final Approval for Expansion of Luling Plant

13 Apr 2016 --- Monsanto is to move ahead with its multi-million expansion of its Luling plant which will produce the herbicide dicamba used to protect crops, though the plant is to cost $975 million which is less than first anticipated.

The expansion of the plant will be complete by mid-2019 and create 100 full-time and 20 contractor roles, Monsanto said, whose directors have given final approval to the expansion.

Dicamba is an important component in Monsanto’s Roundup Ready Xtend Crop System products, which will be initially used in soybean and cotton crops, helping with crop protection.

The new plant is expected to support 25 to 30 percent of demand for dicamba, the company said.

Monsanto has asked the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) to allow the use of dicamba on genetically engineered crops. The EPA is taking public feedback on Monsanto’s request.

The EPA is on record on voicing concerns that weeds could become resistant to dicamba.

Monsanto president and chief operating officer Brett Begemann said: “Our Luling facility’s unique geographic location within our manufacturing network will help provide our famer customers across the Americas with better access to a critical weed manage tool.”

The $975 million price of the expansion of the plant is less than the $1 billion initially earmarked.

As well as creating jobs on the plant, the Louisiana Economic Development estimates the expansion will result in an additional 450 new indirect jobs in the state.

Governor John Bel Edwards said: “Agribusiness and chemistry represent two of the most important business sectors in our state, and this major manufacturing investment by Monsanto strengthens each of these key ingredients.