November 19, 2001

Ajinomoto Co., Inc. Ajinomoto Co., (Thailand) Ltd.

Reinforcement of Production Facilities for Feed-Use Lysine in Thailand

Aiming to become a global corporation in food and amino acid products from its origins in Japan, Ajinomoto Co., Inc. is developing its businesses globally. One such business is feed-use amino acids, in which Ajinomoto is a leading global company, with six production bases worldwide.   To ensure stable supply in the markets of Asia and Oceania, where future expansion of demand is expected, Ajinomoto Co., (Thailand) Ltd. (Head office: Bangkok, Factory: Pathum Thani) will reinforce its production facilities for feed-use lysine, increasing annual production capacity from the current 30,000 tons to 50,000 tons. Capital expenditures are expected to total 1.3 billion baht (approximately ¥3.5 billion, at an exchange rate of 1 baht = ¥2.7), with construction scheduled for completion in early 2003.   Feed-use lysine is a core product of the feed-use amino acid business, and Ajinomoto holds a share of about 35% of the approximately 550,000 ton global market. With 7 to 8 percent annual growth anticipated, the market is expected to increase to about 800,000 tons by 2005, making it an attractive market.   Ajinomoto has six global production and sales bases in France, Italy, the United States, Thailand, China and Brazil. By taking advantage of the global network of the AJINOMOTO ANIMAL NUTRITION group, the Company will provide a stable supply of high-quality feed-use amino acids and offer customer services tailored to each region.

[Reference Materials]

1. What is AJINOMOTO ANIMAL NUTRITION? • Ajinomoto’s feed-use amino acid business has production bases at six locations worldwide (in France, Italy, U.S.A., Thailand, China and Brazil), and conducts its business globally as the AJINOMOTO ANIMAL NUTRITION group.           AJINOMOTO ANIMAL NUTRITION group AJINOMOTO EUROLYSINE (France) AJINOMOTO BIOITALIA S.p.A. (Italy) Ajinomoto Heartland, Inc. (U.S.A.) Ajinomoto Co., (Thailand) Ltd. (Thailand) Chuanhua Ajinomoto Co., Ltd. (China) Ajinomoto Biolatina Indústria e Comércio Ltd. (Brazil)

2. Profile of Ajinomoto Co., (Thailand) Ltd. •Name: Ajinomoto Co., (Thailand) Ltd.   •Established: April 29, 1960   •Head office: Si Ayutthaya Building, 481/1 Si Ayutthaya Road, Khwaeng Thanon Phaya Thai, Khet Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand   •President: Tsuyoshi Miura   •Main products: Seasonings, food products, animal feed   •Capital: 796,362,800 baht   •Number of employees:  647

3. Profile of Pathum Thani Factory of Ajinomoto Co., (Thailand) Ltd. •Address: 99 Mu 1, Bangkadi Sai Nai Road, Tambon Bangkadi, Amphoe Muang Pathum Thani, Pathum Thani 12000, Thailand   •Start of production: August 1986   •Manager: Mr. Soontorn Stapornkul   •Production capacity: 46,000 tons annually (feed-use lysine)   •Number of employees: 96 (as of April 2, 2001)

 

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