Something big is taking shape at Monument. We’ve officially kicked off Project Horizon – a new partnership with David Protein – that will link the strengths of our Brandenburg and Port Arthur facilities in a powerful new way. This project will open the door to new markets, new revenue streams, and new opportunities for innovation across our Renewables & Fuels business.

How We Got Here

Seven years ago, HG Ventures, the venture capital arm of The Heritage Group (THG), invested in Epogee, a startup behind EPG: a clean-label fat alternative that helps food manufacturers make indulgent foods healthier without sacrificing taste.

In 2025, Epogee was acquired by David Protein, an innovative company producing protein-based products for muscle building, wellness, and appearance. Today, David Protein is ready to grow – but their fragmented supply chain is causing them to hit limits. Fortunately, Monument is uniquely positioned to help them scale – drawing on the Brandenburg team’s earlier production experience with EPG and expanding it into a fully integrated, multi-site process.

How It Will Work

• Brandenburg will manufacture propoxylated glycerin, the first step of the process.
• That intermediate will then move to Port Arthur, where esterification and distillation take place.
• The specialty material will be delivered directly to David Protein for use in a range of end-use protein product.

Why It Matters

With Monument’s support, David will be able to scale up production – a fourfold increase that will transform their growth trajectory.

And for Monument, the impact is significant as well:

• An estimated $15–20MM in new revenue with room to grow further
• Expansion into a new esterification growth segment at Port Arthur
• Entry into differentiated tri-glyceride markets, from wellness and food to personal care
• Stronger connections across two Monument facilities, working as one!

“Projects like this showcase the best of our innovation mindset,” said Rainer Potthast, R&D Director. “We’re taking a proven idea, applying fresh thinking, and pushing our capabilities into new territory. That ability to reimagine what’s possible is exactly how Monument drives lasting value for customers.”

“Project Horizon is a key win that delivers on our investments in Port Arthur and the R&F business as a whole,” added Sarves Peri, Vice President and Business Leader, Monument Renewables & Fuels. “We’ve always said there are assets in Port Arthur that could serve high-value esterification markets, and Project Horizon proves it. It’s in our DNA to refresh assets and bring value. This is a perfect example of how we can differentiate ourselves in a high-margin business that directly impacts consumer products.”

Keys to Success

While Brandenburg brings valuable experience, Port Arthur is stepping into new territory. That means securing food-related certifications, adapting infrastructure, and taking on challenges that push the team outside their comfort zone.

“We’ve put together a dedicated R&F team to manage this from cradle to grave,” explained Umair Virani, Director of Custom Manufacturing, Monument Renewables & Fuels. “This isn’t plug-and-play – it challenges every aspect of our capabilities. But that’s what makes it so exciting! We’re reinvigorating our operations, stretching our expertise, and proving just how far we can go.”

To ensure focus and alignment, Dan Smith has been assigned as Project Manager, fully dedicated to upscaling, quality, and commercial launch.

“Monument purchased Port Arthur as an investment, and we continue to invest not only in the site, but also in its people – this project is a perfect example of that,” said Kurt Griffith, Director of Operations, Renewables & Fuels. “The Engineering and Operations teams are gearing up to meet the challenge in a new space – building on our recent successes with SV100 operationalization and other improvements in Port Arthur.”

“Equipment and processes matter, but it’s the collaboration between our people that will carry Horizon forward,” said Adam Pingel, Vice President, Operations. “The handoffs, the problem-solving, the way teams step up for each other – that’s where Monument’s agility and execution strength really shine.”

What’s Next

The customer has already signed a term sheet and funded front-end engineering, and pending approvals, production could begin within a year.

“Project Horizon represents the best of Monument: our ability to imagine, adapt, and deliver,” added Peri. “It’s not just a project. It’s a milestone in who we are and who we’re becoming.”