Bunge Europe today announced plans to increase the rapeseed crushing capacity of its plant in Mannheim, Germany. The company will adapt the facility's existing soybean crushing line to process both soybeans and rapeseeds. In addition, the total capacity of the facility will be increased to approximately 1.3 million metric tons. New rapeseed crushing capacity is expected to come online in the second quarter of 2006.

The project will enhance Bunge's ability to supply the growing German market for rapeseed oil, a primary component of biodiesel. "The growth in demand for biodiesel is changing the landscape of the German vegetable oil market," stated Jean-Louis Gourbin, CEO, Bunge Europe. "We have decided to install additional capacity in Mannheim to supply this expanding market and to better serve our food customers."

By creating a soy/rape line and adding new capacity, Bunge expects to improve the flexibility and efficiency of the Mannheim plant, enhance the company's position as a leading supplier of oil and meal to customers in southern Germany and further strengthen its ties to the local farming community, from which it intends to purchase additional rapeseeds.

Bunge Limited (NYSE: BG) is an integrated, global agribusiness and food company operating in the farm-to-consumer food chain. Founded in 1818 and headquartered in White Plains, New York, Bunge has 25,000 employees and locations in 32 countries. Bunge is the world's leading oilseed processor, the largest producer and supplier of fertilizers to farmers in South America and the world's leading seller of bottled vegetable oils to consumers.