Overview
Cargill is an American multinational food corporation headquartered in Minnetonka, Minnesota, founded in 1865 by William Wallace Cargill. As the largest privately held company in the United States in terms of revenue, Cargill employs over 160,000 people in 66 countries and reported gross revenues of $165 billion in 2022.
Cargill has maintained a strong presence in Belgium since 1953, currently employing over 1,000 employees across eight locations: Antwerp (two locations), Izegem, Ghent, Herent, Vilvoorde, Mechelen, and Mouscron. This European footprint enables Cargill to serve the growing demand for renewable raw materials in the European bioplastics market.
Primary Materials
Renewable Feedstocks: Cargill’s bioindustrial division has over 80 years of experience developing high-performance solutions from renewable feedstocks including:
- Corn: Primary feedstock for bio-based polymers and biochemicals
- Soybeans: Source of oils and proteins for bioplastics applications
- Rapeseed: Oilseed crop for bio-based chemical production
- Seaweed: Emerging sustainable feedstock for novel bioplastics
Bio-Based Raw Materials for Engineering Plastics: Cargill bioindustrial supports sustainable growth with plant-based alternatives for industrial applications like bio-based plastics, providing the fundamental building blocks for various biopolymer production processes.
Lactic Acid and Derivatives: Raw materials and intermediates for PLA (Polylactic Acid) production, a key biodegradable and bio-based polymer.
Market Segments
Cargill’s renewable raw materials serve multiple bioplastics market segments:
- Engineering Plastics: High-performance bio-based polymers for durable applications
- Bio-Based Plastics: Feedstocks for PLA, PHA, and other biopolymers
- Packaging Materials: Raw materials for sustainable packaging solutions
- Bioindustrial Solutions: Plant-based alternatives for chemical and materials industries
- Circular Economy: Renewable feedstocks supporting closed-loop systems
- Specialty Polymers: Custom bio-based materials for specific applications
Bioindustrial Division
Cargill’s bioindustrial division focuses on converting renewable agricultural feedstocks into high-value bio-based materials and chemicals. With over 80 years of experience, the division has developed deep technical expertise in:
- Fermentation technologies for bio-based chemical production
- Agricultural feedstock processing and refinement
- Bio-based polymer precursor production
- Sustainable sourcing and supply chain management
- Application development for bio-based materials
European Operations
Belgium Hub: Cargill’s Belgian operations serve as a key European hub for renewable raw materials, with eight facilities supporting various aspects of the agricultural processing and bioindustrial value chain. The company has provided value to Belgian customers since 1953, demonstrating long-term commitment to European markets.
Sustainability Initiatives
Renewable Fuels and Materials: Cargill invests in promoting the circular economy through its renewable materials business, supporting the transition from fossil-based to bio-based feedstocks.
Bioro Biodiesel Refinery: Cargill’s investments in renewable fuel production demonstrate the company’s integrated approach to sustainable bio-based products, with technologies and feedstocks applicable to both fuels and materials.
Sustainable Sourcing: Cargill emphasizes responsible sourcing of agricultural feedstocks, ensuring that renewable raw materials are produced with minimal environmental impact and support farmer livelihoods.
Global Supply Chain
With operations in 66 countries and extensive agricultural processing capabilities, Cargill maintains a robust global supply chain for renewable raw materials. This scale enables the company to provide consistent, reliable supplies of bio-based feedstocks to bioplastics manufacturers worldwide while maintaining quality standards and sustainability commitments.
Last updated: January 05, 2026