Plantible, a biology company transforming food production, announced its first commercial facility in Eldorado, Texas, is now fully operational. The Ranchito facility signifies a major milestone in Plantible’s mission to reshape global food systems through plant-based ingredients. Located in Schleicher County, the plant features advanced greenhouses, upgraded protein filtration systems, and a new high-yield aquatic plant strain.
The company leverages lemna, also known as water lentils, which are highly resilient, require minimal water, and grow rapidly. Lemna is a sustainable protein feedstock that can be cultivated in harsh environments without arable land. It doubles every 2-3 days, making it a highly efficient resource for food ingredients.
By producing functional ingredients that replace synthetic and environmentally harmful components, Plantible aims to set new standards in agri-food. The Ranchito is expected to produce thousands of metric tons of biomass annually, delivering hundreds of metric tons of protein each year. This output could help reduce nearly 8,000 metric tons of CO₂-equivalent emissions annually by replacing animal-based and synthetic ingredients.
Tony Martens, CEO and Co-Founder of Plantible, said the new facility is a crucial step for the company, its partners, and the Eldorado community. He highlighted Plantible’s commitment to building a resilient, science-driven food system that creates economic opportunities in rural America.
The expansion included advanced filtration equipment that cuts costs and increases production capacity. Plantible is collaborating with key partners like ICL to incorporate Rubi Protein into various consumer foods. The company also invests in local workforce development, creating over 30 skilled jobs and educational programs to train future innovators.
Looking ahead, Plantible plans to expand capacity threefold by scaling the Ranchito into a larger facility. Ongoing research aims to improve yields and affordability. The company celebrated this milestone with a ribbon-cutting event attended by community leaders, employees, and partners, emphasizing growth and sustainability.
