LAFAYETTE, COLO. — Planterra Foods, a business unit of JBS SA, has opened a new headquarters in Lafayette. The headquarters features a new office space as well as an R&D innovation center.

The R&D innovation center will focus on testing and developing new ingredients and product innovations with a goal of providing reliable, affordable access to plant-based food.

“I am proud of the team we’ve built at Planterra Foods and look forward to a future of continued growth and innovation in our new space in Lafayette,” said Darcey Macken, chief executive officer of Planterra Foods.

Raúl Pero, vice president of marketing and innovation at Planterra Foods, said the new R&D innovation center will “open the doors to endless opportunities in plant-based protein.”

“With more and more plant-based options popping up in stores for consumers to choose from, our goal is to bring innovative solutions to plant-based foods with delicious, high-quality products that people can feel good about eating and feeding their families at home,” Pero said.

In June 2020, Planterra Foods introduced the OZO line with the launch of plant-based burger patties, grounds and Mexican-seasoned ground meat alternatives that are sold in the refrigerated section of supermarkets. The company followed that up with the launch earlier this year of frozen foods to be sold under its OZO brand. The line includes plant-based burgers and breakfast sausage as well as plant-based meatballs, plant-based chicken patties and plant-based chicken nuggets.