Along with society

Iowa is one of the leading agricultural states in the U.S., producing corn, soybeans, pork, bioethanol, and other agricultural products. The state also excels in biotechnology, agricultural machinery, and other agriculture-related industries.
The Ajinomoto Group has developed various businesses in Eddyville, a city located in the southeastern part of the state, since 1986, when the Group established a plant to manufacture feed-grade amino acids. Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America, Inc. (AHN) continues to support its customers through research, development, manufacturing, and sales of feed-grade amino acids and other products at its Eddyville site.

AHN is leading one of the largest wetland restoration projects in the region, spanning over 130 acres (approximately 0.52 km²) of land adjacent to its Eddyville production facility and the Des Moines River.
Wetlands play a crucial role in the environment and local communities by creating wildlife habitats, supporting watersheds, improving water quality, recharging groundwater, and mitigating climate change.This wetland restoration project supports wildlife such as endangered Indiana bats, whitetail deer, and various pollinators . Additionally, the project is expected to prevent nitrogen and eroded topsoil from entering the Des Moines River, promote the growth of oxygen-releasing plants, and capture and store carbon in the soil.

Wetlands under project development

AHN advances the Ajinomoto County Line Wetland Mitigation Bank project alongside its wetland restoration efforts.
Mitigation refers to the act of reducing or compensating for negative environmental impacts caused by human activities. Mitigation banking aims to counteract such impacts by enhancing the quality and quantity of ecosystems beyond their pre-development conditions. The resulting environmental benefits are converted into credits that can be sold on the market to offset environmental impacts elsewhere.
Purchasing credits through the AHN Mitigation Banking Project allows buyers to offset negative impacts on similar nearby ecosystems. Contributions not only support wetland restoration and beautification but also help drive economic and infrastructure development in central and southeast Iowa.

The U.S. Clean Water Act encourages business to contribute to cost-effective wetland restoration to offset ecological losses from commercial development. AHN believes the mitigation banking project will protect water resources, prevent erosion, and contribute to a healthier, more sustainable future for all.

On September 19, 2024, AHS leaders and environmentalists from Iowa attended a ceremony to celebrate the official start of the wetland restoration project.
“This inspiring project reflects our commitment to Ajinomoto Group Creating Shared Value (ASV) and sustainability, ” said Ryan Smith, Chief Growth Officer and Executive Vice President at AHN. Steve Salevsky, Senior Director of Operations at the AHN Eddyville production facility, added, “While the wetland restoration is still in its beginning stages, we can already see the impact it will have on generations to come,” expressing his commitment to Eddyville and the surrounding communities.

The wetland has become a beloved landmark, thanks to AHN volunteers who planted over two thousand native trees, shrubs, flowers, and grasses, and built and installed birdhouses over the summer. AHN plans various events, including Family Day, where family members can tour the wetland and take home seed packets of flowers similar to those planted by volunteers, along with custom coloring books inspired by the landscape.

AHN will continue contributing to the well-being of people, society, and the earth by working to permanently maintain the wetlands through this project and reinvesting the proceeds in sustainable projects.