ADM Builds Precision Fermentation Protein Push

The agribusiness giant is scaling fermentation-derived egg and whey alternatives, with natural colors identified as another long-term growth area.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Biotech

Isometric editorial illustration of a row of tall stainless-steel fermentation vessels and pipework in a plain industrial hall, depicting protein production scale-up. — ADM is moving to commercial-scale precision fermentation, including scaling OvoPro, an egg-protein ingredient from The Every Co., at its Clinton, Iowa plant, CEO Juan Luciano said Nov. 3. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Would you trust lab-made protein alternatives like egg or whey substitutes in your own food?

ADM is laying the foundation for precision fermentation as its next phase of growth, including commercial scaling of OvoPro, a high-protein egg ingredient from The Every Co., at its Clinton, Iowa corn processing facility. CEO Juan Luciano discussed the strategy on a Nov. 3 third-quarter earnings conference call.

Why it matters

Global demand for protein is outpacing traditional supply, and whey is in short supply across dairy and food manufacturing. ADM is pursuing biomanufacturing as a way to meet that demand using fermentation assets it already owns.

ADM is scaling OvoPro at its Clinton, Iowa facility and working with a technology partner on a whey alternative matching conventional whey's molecular profile. Natural colors are projected to generate $80 million to $100 million in annual operating profit, though the extraction does not give production capacity or commercialization dates.

The players

ADM

Archer-Daniels-Midland is a major U.S. agricultural processor and food ingredient company that has expanded into biomanufacturing and fermentation.

Juan Luciano

Juan Luciano is the chief executive officer of ADM, leading the company's strategic shift toward precision fermentation and protein ingredients.

The Every Co.

The Every Co. is a food technology company that develops animal-free egg proteins produced through precision fermentation.

The details

ADM is moving toward commercial-scale production of an egg white ingredient alternative for baked goods, protein bars, and pasta, and is using fermentation assets it already owns to scale without greenfield projects. The company has access to commercial-scale dextrose supply and says it is positioned to de-risk the near-term opportunity through its feedstock, capital efficiency, and integrated value chain.

Earlier this year (2026): ADM announced commercial scaling of OvoPro at Clinton, Iowa.
Last quarter: ADM identified natural colors as a long-term growth pathway.
Nov. 3, 2026: Luciano discussed precision fermentation on the third-quarter earnings call.

The Tech Race

ADM's move extends the animal-free egg protein approach developed by The Every Co. into large-scale corn processing at Clinton, Iowa. It places ADM among agribusiness firms racing to secure protein supply as whey and conventional egg production face constraints.

Shoppers may eventually see egg-white and whey alternatives in baked goods, protein bars, and pasta, though the extraction gives no retail timing or pricing. The development could affect product availability in protein-focused foods as manufacturers look for supply beyond traditional dairy and eggs.

The takeaway

Protein supply is increasingly being shaped by fermentation and biomanufacturing rather than only by farms and dairy herds. Readers tracking food prices and product availability should watch whether these ingredients reach commercial shelves.