ADM to Distribute Global Bio-chem Sweeteners, Lysine

DECATUR, Ill., and HONG KONGArcher Daniels Midland Company (ADM) has signed a strategic alliance agreement to be the exclusive distributor of certain sweetener and lysine products manufactured by Global Bio-chem Technology Group Company Limited and/or its subsidiary, Global Sweeteners Holdings Limited to various markets in Asia and South America.

Beginning in June, ADM will be the exclusive sales channel for several of Global Sweeteners sweetener products. The market territory will include various Southeast Asian countries, the Far East, Australia and New Zealand. ADM maintains several regional sales offices in Asia, including those in China, India, Singapore, Japan and Australia.

In South America, ADM also will use its expansive marketing and sales network to distribute various Global Bio-chem lysine products to customers in Brazil and Argentina. Lysine is an amino acid commonly used by livestock producers to improve the nutritional value of animal rations; Global Bio-chem is among the worlds leading lysine producers, and ADM is a lysine market leader in South America.

The strategic alliance also formalizes the companies intention to collaborate in development of a catalyst for improving the production of glycerin from carbohydrates. A successful result could bring significant cost-savings and efficiencies to the production of renewable propylene glycol and ethylene glycol, which Global Bio-chem and ADM currently manufacture and market. These chemicals can be used in place of petroleum-derived varieties in personal-care products, pharmaceuticals and other applications.