According to media releases from both the City of Eau Claire Economic Development Division (ECEDD) and ABF Ingredients (ABFI), Eau Claire has been selected as the location for a "new state-of-the-art facility" for one of ABFI's global specialty ingredients businesses, Ohly. 

ABFI acquired roughly 70 acres of land in Eau Claire's Gateway Northwest Business Park for the project – a 22,000-square-foot biomanufacturing facility – which will result in a total $247 million investment and 90-100 jobs ($24-$60/hour wage range).

The new ABFI site location, within the Gateway Northwest Business Park, as shared by Eau Claire Economic Development Division online.

Construction efforts will begin sometime this year, ECEDD shared online, with three total phases of development planned through 2035. Construction efforts will employ about 30 individuals, ABFI's media release stated, with an initial investment of over $65 million.

Once complete, it will also serve as Ohly's North American campus.

Eau Claire was selected after a multi-year comprehensive evaluation of potential locations, citing the region's strong infrastructure – including its proximity to ABFI's existing state operations in Boyceville, the ECEDD media release stated. 

"The Eau Claire site will also be designed to accommodate long-term growth with the potential opportunity to expand operations in the future, further strengthening the region's advanced manufacturing base," ECEDD shared.

"The project represents a meaningful step in expanding Eau Claire's presence in biomanufacturing and specialty ingredient production," ECEDD's statement continued, "aligning with broader trends in advanced and knowledge-driven manufacturing."

Moving forward, the project still requires approvals related to construction and facility development. Those details will be shared as they become available, according to ECEDD.

About ABF Ingredients & Ohly

"ABF Ingredients is a division of Associated British Foods plc and a global leader in specialty ingredients. The company develops and manufactures value-added products used across the food, health and nutrition, pharmaceutical, animal health, and industrial sectors—operating a portfolio of businesses worldwide. These include Ohly, AB Enzymes, ABITEC Corporation, PGP International, SPI Pharma, and Biotexia, and each is focused on innovative ingredient technologies and applications.

Ohly, one of ABFI’s core businesses, is a leading supplier of yeast derivatives, culinary powders, and lipid-based products for global food, biotechnology, and health markets. Its range of multifunctional specialties, based on prime baker's and torula yeast, are used in a wide range of commercial and industrial applications."

View the Eau Claire Economic Development Division's full media release online. ABF Ingredients' media release can also be viewed in full online.