(KAIR)--Atchison-based MGP Ingredients will build what a release calls "a technologically advanced extrusion plant to produce its ProTerra line of texturized proteins."  The new plant will be located adjacent to the company’s existing Atchison plant.

According to the release, once online in late 2023, the new extrusion plant is expected to produce up to 10 million pounds of ProTerra per year.

Design of the $16.7 million facility will be led by Sabetha, Kansas-based design firm 1 Solutions Group. The firm has extensive experience designing extrusion lines in the food industry (including texturized proteins) and has worked with MGP on previous extrusion projects.  Construction on the new facility will begin this summer and will be completed by the end of 2023.

MGP CEO Dave Colo, in the release, says that "achieving in-house production of [the company's] ProTerra line of products is a meaningful investment amid growing demand and increasing outsourcing costs.”

The new plant will help the company meet the growing demand for its ProTerra product line, while giving it more control over the manufacturing process.  MGP currently utilizes co-packers to produce the line.

In the release, MGP Vice-President of Ingredient Solutions Sales and Research and Development, Michael Buttshaw says the new extrusion plant will give MGP "the capacity and flexibility required to continue to meet the growing demand for [the] ProTerra line of texturized proteins,” adding that by transitioning the manufacturing process in-house, MGP "will reduce lead times related to co-packer scheduling issues, increase flexibility related to R&D projects and enhance [the] ability to effectively commercialize new products.”