Projects
Investment Project in Romania
High-Tech Soybean Deep Processing Plant with Production of Soy Protein Isolate
Project Overview
The project provides for the construction in Romania of a modern high-tech plant for the deep processing of soybeans with the production of soy protein isolate and other high value-added products.
The designed processing capacity of the complex is 180,000 tons of soybeans per year.
The project is aimed at establishing an industrial enterprise of European standard, operating on the basis of advanced technological solutions and meeting the requirements of the international food ingredients market.
The project implementation is planned in the format of an EPC contract involving an international consortium, ensuring integrated management of all stages — from design and construction to commissioning and start-up of the facility.
Technological Foundation
The production complex will be established on the basis of modern patented technologies that ensure:
• high efficiency of raw material processing;
• stable quality of finished products;
• compliance with international food industry standards;
• production of ingredients with a high degree of functionality and strong market demand.
The project is implemented in technological partnership with Solbar Protein — an international company specializing in the production of soy proteins and technological solutions for the food industry.
This format of cooperation provides access to specialized expertise, modern production approaches, and practical solutions demanded in the global market.
Project Location
Giurgiu Free Economic Zone, Romania
The site considered for project implementation is the Giurgiu Free Economic Zone — an industrial territory covering 160 hectares designated for industrial, commercial, and logistics facilities.
The zone has a strategic location on the Danube River and is equipped with developed engineering and transport infrastructure, creating favorable conditions for the implementation of a large-scale international investment project.
Project Land Plot
A land plot has been acquired for project implementation:
• cadastral number: 41320;
• documented area: 176,389 square meters;
• measured area: 165,673 square meters.
The land plot is considered the base site for placement of the production complex, engineering infrastructure, warehouse areas, logistics facilities, and auxiliary production capacities.
Logistics Advantages of the Site
The location of the site ensures efficient integration into international transport corridors and export-import logistics.
Key advantages:
• direct access to national and international railway networks;
• availability of container infrastructure for cargo handling;
• convenient road connections with highways and major transport routes;
• water access to the Black Sea through the navigable Danube river system.
This logistical position ensures reliable raw material supply and efficient export of finished products to international markets.
25 Years of Turnkey Solutions: Selected Projects
Solbar Industries Ltd (Israel)
The company’s flagship facility produces 17,000 tons of soy protein isolate per year. A complete processing cycle of 450,000 tons of soybeans has been implemented, yielding a wide range of high value-added products. The production line is fully automated and meets the strictest international standards.
https://www.solbartech.com
Solbar Ningbo Protein Technology (China)
A state-of-the-art facility with a design capacity of 10,000 tons of soy protein isolate per year, built on a turnkey basis in Zhejiang Province. This project showcases ISCO GROUP’s ability to deliver complex technological solutions in one of the world’s most competitive markets — the Chinese market.
https://www.solbar.com
Solbar South Sioux City (USA)
A facility with a capacity of 10,000 tons of soy protein isolate per year located in the state of Nebraska. The project’s success was confirmed when the company was acquired by CHS Inc. for USD 133 million immediately after production launch — a compelling testament to the engineering excellence of ISCO GROUP.
https://www.chsinc.com
Agritech LLC (Kazakhstan)
An innovative facility producing 2,500 tons of soy protein isolate per year, built using the latest protein extraction and purification technologies. The plant supplies high-quality products to the rapidly growing market of Central Asia.
https://www.agritech.kz
Why Giurgiu? The Strategic Hub for Advanced Soybean Processing in Europe
Selecting the right location for a 180,000-ton capacity processing plant is a decision that defines your cost structure for decades. The Giurgiu Free Trade Zone (FTZ) offers a unique convergence of logistics, fiscal incentives, and raw material access that is virtually unmatched within the European Union.
1. Trimodal Logistics Excellence: River, Sea, and Land
Giurgiu sits at the crossroads of three critical transport corridors, ensuring the lowest possible freight costs:
The Danube River Highway: Cost-effective barge transport directly from Black Sea ports (Constanta) and the agricultural heartlands of Serbia and Hungary.
Deep-Sea Connectivity: Seamless integration with the Port of Constanta allows for the reception of large ocean-going vessels (Panamax) carrying soy from North and South America.
Gateway to Continental Europe: The Giurgiu-Ruse bridge and proximity to Pan-European Corridor IX provide a direct overland route to EU markets, ensuring delivery to Central and Western Europe within 48–72 hours.
2. Dual-Sourcing Strategy: Global Reach, Local Premium
Our location offers the flexibility to pivot between sourcing strategies based on market dynamics:
Premium «Made in EU» Segment: Access to high-quality, Non-GMO soybeans from the «Danube Soy Belt» (Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia). This allows for a premium price point in Western European markets (Germany, France, Benelux).
Global Commodity Market: Direct import of soy at competitive global prices through Constanta’s deep-water terminals to ensure year-round production stability.
3. Maximized Financial Efficiency (FTZ + State Aid)
The Giurgiu Free Trade Zone provides a high-octane environment for industrial investment:
Customs & VAT Optimization: The FTZ status allows for the import of raw materials and equipment with deferred VAT and customs duties, significantly improving operational cash flow.
Generous State Aid Schemes: Investors in Romania are eligible for government-backed grants and subsidies, which can cover a substantial percentage of CAPEX for large-scale industrial projects.
Fiscal Incentives: Competitive corporate tax structures and specific exemptions for large-scale export-oriented manufacturing.
4. Direct Access to the World’s Most Lucrative Market
A 180,000-ton facility is perfectly scaled for European expansion:
The Danube Corridor connects the plant to Hungary, Austria, and Germany via the most sustainable and low-cost transport method available.
High-Value Soy Isolates are exported to the fast-growing plant-based protein and sports nutrition hubs of Western Europe.
Soybean Meal & Oil are instantly absorbed by the booming livestock sectors of Romania and Bulgaria, located right at the factory gates.
5. Industrial-Ready Infrastructure
The Giurgiu FTZ eliminates the risks associated with «greenfield» development by providing:
Dedicated Berths: Direct vessel-to-conveyor unloading capabilities to minimize handling costs.
Utility Scalability: Existing access to high-pressure industrial gas and high-voltage power grids—essential for the energy-intensive protein extraction process.
Skilled Industrial Workforce: Access to a region with a deep industrial heritage and a ready supply of technical and engineering talent.
Project Objective
The objective of the project is to establish within the European Union a modern industrial complex for deep soybean processing oriented toward the production of competitive products for the international market.
Key project tasks:
• export of products to international markets;
• meeting the growing demand for plant-based proteins;
• production of functional food ingredients for the modern food industry;
• creation of a new industrial center for deep processing of agricultural raw materials in the region.
Project Initiator and Partnership
The project is implemented by ISCO DSM PECTIN GROUP S.R.L. in strategic partnership with Solbar Protein. (www.solbar.com ; www.solbartech.com)
The partnership is aimed at utilizing technological expertise in the following areas:
• soy protein isolates;
• soy protein concentrates;
• textured soy proteins;
• soy dietary fibers;
• derivative products of deep soybean processing.
This approach enables reliance on applied experience, modern solutions in plant protein processing, and the requirements of international consumers of food ingredients.
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