Major investment strengthens company’s North American operations, fosters job creation, and advances sustainability goals

Jungbunzlauer, a leading producer of high-quality, sustainable ingredients from natural sources, is breaking ground on Canada’s first xanthan gum facility – a $200-million addition to the company’s existing footprint in Port Colborne, Ontario.

Today, Jungbunzlauer announced the groundbreaking for the first stage of this multi-year project, which is supported by $4.8 million from the Invest Ontario Fund.

“This expansion in Port Colborne marks a significant milestone for our North American business. This site not only reinforces our commitment to providing our partners with top-quality, natural biogums but also highlights our dedication to sustainability and to the local community,” said Bruno Tremblay, Jungbunzlauer CEO.

Tremblay was joined at the groundbreaking ceremony by site lead Ryan Doell and dignitaries from local, provincial and national governments, including Ontario Premier Doug Ford; Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, Vic Fedeli; Niagara South MP Vance Badawey; Niagara West MPP, the Hon. Sam Oosterhoff and Mayor William Steele.

“We've been a proud part of the Port Colborne community for more than 20 years. In that time, we’ve invested $560 million into our local facility to expand capacity and improve sustainability. As we look ahead to the next ten years, we expect to continue to make significant investments in capacity, sustainability and the community. On top of our capital investment, the jobs, services and local purchases from our facility add approximately $20 million to Port Colborne’s economy every year,” Tremblay said.

The Phase 1 expansion is expected to be operational from Spring 2026 and produce readily biodegradable xanthan gum, a thickening agent with a wide range of culinary, cosmetic and pharmaceutical uses. The Port Colborne expansion will increase Jungbunzlauer’s capacity to provide high quality xanthan gum to customers throughout North America.

This expansion underscores Jungbunzlauer's commitment to expanding its presence in North America and its commitment to carbon neutrality and sustainability.

 “Jungbunzlauer’s expansion shows very clearly that international companies looking for a strategic foothold in North America will find Ontario is the best place to invest,” said Michael Fedchyshyn, Interim CEO for Invest Ontario. 

“I want to extend my deepest gratitude to everyone whose hard work and dedication made this expansion possible and a special mention to the City and people of Port Colborne, and Invest Ontario for their support,” concluded Tremblay.

About Xanthan Gum:

Xanthan gum (XG) is a versatile thickening and stabilizing agent, widely used in food products like salad dressings, sauces, beverages, confections and a wide range of other edibles. It enhances texture, improves viscosity and stabilisesemulsions in a broad variety of products.

Jungbunzlauer’s xanthan gum technology ensures high-quality, food-grade, consistent performance, making it a go-to ingredient in sectors such as food production, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals, where both functionality and sustainability are essential.

About the New Facility:

• Local Sourcing and Sustainability: It will leverage the agricultural richness of the Niagara region, sustainably sourcing local Ontario corn and incorporating advanced wastewater recycling systems.
• Cutting-edge Technologies: The plant will utilize natural fermentation technologies to further reduce its environmental footprint. The site uses electrical evaporation and hot water recovery systems with heat pumps re-use energy and reduce the overall use of natural gas.
• Vertical Integration: The facility is connected to Jungbunzlauer's nearby corn wet milling plant, reducing transportation energy and enhancing sustainability credentials.
• Carbon Neutral Design: The expansion will grow the company’s production of biodegradable ingredients without growing its carbon footprint. It is part of Jungbunzlauer’s overall carbon-neutral site, integrating advanced technologies to minimise energy and water use. At the same time, the company continues to invest in the further reduction of carbon on site.

Economic and Community Impact:

• Job Creation: Phase 1 of the expansion is expected to create up to 50 new, high value jobs in Port Colborne, increasing the Jungbunzlauer workforce by 30%; subsequent phases in the coming years will add additional high value jobs. Plus, over the next 5-10 years, it is estimated 300 construction jobs will be created.

• Educational Partnerships: Jungbunzlauer will collaborate with local universities and colleges to offer cooperative education programs, providing research and career opportunities for students.
• Community Commitment: The company has been a vital part of the Port Colborne community since 2002, contributing around $20m annually to the local economy, and this expansion reinforces its long-standing local presence.

Jungbunzlauer in Port Colborne:

Operational since 2002, Jungbunzlauer’s Port Colborne site is a critical part of the company’s global network, specializing in the production of biodegradable ingredients derived from the renewable raw material corn. The nearly 50,000-square-foot facility plays a pivotal role in serving diverse industries through its commitment to sustainability and innovation.

The Port Colborne site currently produces citric acid and special salts using a natural fermentation process. As part of Jungbunzlauer's broader commitment to environmental responsibility, the facility minimizes greenhouse gas emissions and water use, embodying the company’s commitment to sustainable manufacturing practices.

Currently employing approximately 165 people, the site is a cornerstone of Jungbunzlauer’s North American operations, ensuring a reliable supply of high-quality, sustainable products to markets across the continent.

About Jungbunzlauer:
Jungbunzlauer is a leading producer of high-quality, sustainable ingredients from natural sources, serving industries from food and beverage, nutrition, health, and home and personal care. As a trusted partner, we offer a diverse portfolio of texturants, acidulants, minerals, and tailored solutions to meet our customers' evolving needs. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, with state-of-the-art facilities including large-scale fermentation operations across Europe and North America, we proudly serve over 130 countries worldwide. Founded more than 150 years ago, Jungbunzlauer has grown into a CHF 1.3 billion company, driven by nearly 1,400 dedicated colleagues committed to a healthier, more sustainable future. Learn more at www.jungbunzlauer.com.