The company Elian, a subsidiary of the North American company Viserion, has begun the refurbishment of the soybean processing plant it purchased from the Cargill group last October. The facility, located in the Port of Barcelona, has a production capacity of 2,500 tonnes per day and with this operation, which maintained 65 jobs at the plant, the factory has taken another step forward in processing soybeans, making it a leader in the alternative protein sector in Catalonia. Viserion's investment through Elian was supported by the Government of Catalonia.

According to the Catalan Minister for Business and Labour, Roger Torrent, the production plant getting back to work "is good news in two ways: because it maintains employment in industry, and because it reinforces the alternative protein sector, which is a strategic and emerging area in Catalonia."

Elian's CEO in Catalonia, Andreu Martín, said that "the Barcelona plant is a piece of strategic infrastructure for the local supply of protein for the production of high-quality food." He added that "the plant's inclusion in the Elian/Viserion group will enable us to incorporate an experienced team and an efficient plant with direct access to raw material imports, secure the production chain and make complementary investments that make a significant contribution to improving food sustainability."

Elian's purchase of the factory from the Cargill group has enabled it to retain jobs at the factory and to ensure supplies to the factory's clients. This purchase will expand the factory's ability to complete the industrial process with the manufacture of concentrated and textured protein, a key ingredient in the production of alternative plant-based food and high-quality feed.

The plant, which focuses on soybean processing, is a strategic infrastructure for the feed sector in Catalonia, producing feed flour for cattle, poultry and domestic animals. The factory also produces soybean oil for use in various sectors including food, cosmetics, glues and fuels.

The United States is the country with the most subsidiaries in Catalonia

Elian, the subsidiary of the United States company Viserion, is one of the 9,255 foreign companies based in Catalonia. In fact, according to the Directory of Foreign Subsidiaries in Catalonia 2023 produced by the Catalan government, the United States is the country with the highest contingent among this type of company, accounting for 15% of the total.