Cargill expands Belgium innovation hub with new extrusion pilot plant

BELGIUM – Cargill has invested €5.4 million (US$6.2 million) to add a new extrusion pilot plant at its Vilvoorde Innovation Centre, strengthening its research and development capabilities for feed, pet food, and food applications across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA).

For the animal nutrition sector, the new extrusion pilot plant represents the most significant development, providing enhanced capabilities for feed ingredient testing, product development and customer collaboration.

The investment forms part of a broader €56 million (US$64.8 million) programme across Belgium, which includes expansions at the company’s Izegem edible oils facility and its Mouscron gourmet chocolate plant. 

Located within the Vilvoorde Innovation Center, the facility will support rapid prototyping, ingredient functionality testing and the development of new feed and pet food solutions. 

The investment also builds on a previously announced €45 million (US$52.2 million) investment in Cargill’s food innovation centre in Vilvoorde, further strengthening the company’s European R&D network.

The expansion comes as feed manufacturers increasingly seek innovative formulations that improve animal performance, feed efficiency and sustainability while responding to changing raw material availability and customer requirements.

Geert Maesmans, Vice President of R&D for Cargill’s Food business in Europe, the Middle East and Africa and the company’s Belgium country lead, said the investments reinforce Belgium’s strategic role within the company’s regional operations.

“Belgium is a key strategic hub for Cargill in Europe, thanks to its strong food industry, close customer connectivity and advanced logistics infrastructure that enable efficient supply across Western Europe,” Maesmans said.

“These investments not only strengthen our local food R&D and production capabilities but also allow us to continue to grow with our customers and provide them with more diverse and innovative food solutions across Belgium and the EMEA region.”

Investment strengthens feed innovation capabilities

Extrusion technology plays an important role in both aquafeed and pet food manufacturing. 

It enables producers to improve product consistency, nutrient utilisation and physical feed characteristics while testing new ingredient combinations and formulations.

The new pilot plant will allow Cargill to accelerate product development and validate ingredient performance before commercial-scale production. 

This can help feed manufacturers bring new products to market faster while reducing development risks.

The investment adds to Cargill’s long-standing presence in Belgium, where the company has operated since 1953. 

Today, it employs more than 1,500 people across nine locations covering production, research and development, and regional coordination activities.

Together, the Vilvoorde, Izegem and Mouscron expansions reinforce Belgium’s position within Cargill’s European network and support the company’s focus on innovation, supply reliability and customer-driven product development.

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