Ajinomoto Co., Inc. Acquired Majority Shares of an Agro-business Company in Spain Expanding Agro-business in Europe

TOKYO, October 17, 2017 – Ajinomoto Co., Inc. (“Ajinomoto Co.”), through its consolidated subsidiary S.A. Ajinomoto OmniChem N.V. (“AOC”) in Belgium, has signed a share purchase agreement of majority shares of Agro2Agri, S.L. (“A2A”) that has Agro-business subsidiaries in Spain with Dadelos S.L., its sole shareholder of A2A. AOC aims to grow its agro business through entering into the rapidly growing new agriculture market on a full-scale especially in Europe, and increase its related sales ¹ (sum of 2 companies) to EUR 60 million, by 1.5 times (vs. expected sales for 2017) by 2020.
1. Total sales of AOC and A2A

A2A, specialized in the production and marketing of biostimulant² products mainly based on amino acids in more than 50 countries worldwide, has several subsidiaries both in B2B business to produce and supply raw materials for agrochemical and fertiliser companies and in B2C business concentrating on marketing and sales and has grown with double digits annually over the last five years with its strength of product development capability.
2. Agro natural compound of ingredients such as amino acids and other
　 ingredients through microbial fermentation and natural ingredients including natural extracts that is used to improve
　 immunity inherent in plants and promote plant growth

The global biostimulants market was valued at USD 1,607 million in 2014 and is projected to reach USD 3,490 million by 2020 at a CAGR of 14.1% from 2015 onwards due to heightening awareness of the necessity of reducing the environmental burden in agriculture. Especially the European market, the largest and covering about 40% of the total market, is projected to reach USD 1,411 million by 2020. (Source: MarketsandMarkets 2016).

AOC, established in 1778, mainly manufactures and sells pharmaceutical intermediates and APIs globally. Its Agro-business produces and sells surfactants³ in more than 60 countries worldwide as ingredients of agrochemical and fertiliser (B2B business) under the brand name Tensiofix®, with strength in formulation expertise to develop and propose specific formulations with surfactants to be applied in crop protection in line with customer needs.
3. Agent to enhance dipersibility of insoluble ingredients in the use of agrochemicals to be dissolved in water. It can
　 reduce the agrochemical amount used and also the environmental burden due to the homogenous mix.

By the majority share acquisition this time, Ajinomoto Co. will expand its agro business more rapidly by entering into the fast-growing area of biostimulants on a full-scale and taking advantage of the strengths of AOC and A2A such as joint development of new products and new customers, and proceed with the establishment of specialities in the agro business in Europe as well as increase its related sales in Europe to EUR 60 million, by 1.5 times (vs. expected sales for 2017) by 2020.

The Ajinomoto Group aims to realize a “genuine global specialty company” through the “food and AminoScience business” by contributing to human, animal and plant nutrition under the corporate message of “Eat Well, Live Well.”

*EUR 1 = JPY 132.85 (exchange rate as of September 30, 2017)

Ajinomoto Co. is a global manufacturer of high-quality seasonings, processed foods, beverages, amino acids, pharmaceuticals and specialty chemicals. For many decades Ajinomoto Co. has contributed to food culture and human health through wide-ranging application of amino acid technologies. Today, the company is becoming increasingly involved with solutions for improved food resources, human health and global sustainability. Founded in 1909 and now operating in 30 countries and regions, Ajinomoto Co. had net sales of JPY 1,091.1 billion (USD 10.07 billion) in fiscal 2016. For more about Ajinomoto Co. (TYO: 2802), visit www.ajinomoto.com.

Ajinomoto Co., Inc. Public Communications Department; pr_info@ajinomoto.com