Benson Hill

Benson Hill is a food technology company, which uses its CropOS technology platform to improve the nutritiousness, sustainability, and taste of food at affordable prices. The CropOS platform functionality includes proprietary phenotyping and predictive breeding, while the platform uses AI, machine learning, and environmental modeling algorithms to improve crop yield through better control and precision. The company also uses the CRISPR 2.0 (Cpf1) and CRISPR 3.0 (Cms1) gene editing nucleases to use the natural genetic diversity of plants in its R&D.

The company’s core focus is advancing seed innovation for soybeans. Using its CropOS platform, Benson Hill launched TruVail, a domestically sourced non-GMO plant-based protein ingredient brand in February 2022. TruVail's product offering includes soy flour, lower processed alternatives to soy protein concentrate (SPC), and texturized proteins. The products are produced from the company’s ultra-high protein (UHP) soybeans.

Benson Hill’s UHP varieties are claimed to provide up to 20% higher protein content and lower anti-nutrients compared with conventional soybean crops while using less land, ~70% less water, and having a reduced carbon footprint with 50% less CO2 emissions. The UHP soybeans have broad applications, which include catering to aquaculture, pet food, biofuels, and swine and poultry markets.

Benson Hill has been undertaking an inorganic growth strategy to expand its technology and product offerings. In 2019, it acquired Iowa-based Schillinger Genetics (eMerge Genetics), a genetic improvement company, expanding Benson’s portfolio with Schillinger’s high-yielding non-genetically modified organism (non-GMO) soybean varieties. In 2022, it acquired food-grade white flake and soy flour manufacturer ZFS Creston LLC for ~USD 102 million to enable Benson Hill to convert soybeans into soy protein ingredients to cater to the human and pet food categories.

Key customers and partnerships 

The company has partnered with several seeding companies to help them with their breeding programs and improve yield. Some of the partnered seed companies include Beck's Hybrids in 2016 for enhancing Beck’s corn breeding program, Agribody Technologies, Inc.; in August 2018 to develop non-GMO yield and sustainability traits for other seed companies; Brownseed Genetics in 2019 to improve its hybrid corn seeds; and Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (ADM) in July 2022 to upscale Benson’s soy protein yield.

It also partnered with supermarket chain Schnuck Markets in July 2022 to launch Benson’s Veri brand soy cooking oil for use in prepared foods across ~100 US grocery stores.

Besides this, Benson was also targeting the European fish feed market to launch soy protein-based feed through its partnership with Denofa in April 2022 and with Biomar in January 2023.