South America Calling

Archer Daniels Midland acquired Brazil-based natural plant-based extracts and ingredients manufacturer Yerbalatina Phytoactives, ADM announced in a news release on Tuesday.

Yerbalatina uses proprietary cool-drying technology to transform fruits, vegetables and other plants such as acerola, acai, guarana and green coffee into extracts and ingredients for customers in the food, beverage and health industries. The company's more than 100 botanical products and solutions includes nutrition and health ingredients; organic food colorings; organic powdered fruits; organic vegetable milks; and organic nutritional extracts.

ADM already operates a human and animal nutrition business in Brazil, including an alternative protein production complex in Campo Grande; beverage extracts, bases and compounds production in Manaus and Uberlandia and 13 animal-nutrition facilities. In addition, ADM processes oilseeds at eight locations across Brazil, producing meal and renewable biodiesel, as well as a portfolio of consumer oils under the Concordia, Corcovado, ABC and Vitaliv brands. ADM has more than 6,000 employees in Brazil.

Vikram Luthar, president of ADM's health and wellness business, said in a press statement that "Yerbalatina's wide array of natural botanical extracts -- including organic-certified ingredients -- combined with their R&D capabilities and market expertise, are exciting additions to our pantry as we continue to build our leadership position in science-based microbiome solutions for human and animal health."

Vince Macciocchi, president of ADM's nutrition business, said in a statement that more consumers are turning to foods and supplements to enhance health and wellness.

"The global retail market for foods, beverages and supplements that support health and wellness is estimated at $750 billion, and growing," he said. "From prebiotics and probiotics to enzymes, botanical extracts, and nutritional oils, the breadth and depth of our expertise and our portfolio ensure that our customers have everything they need to lead in this space."

Also on Tuesday, ADM unveiled an updated corporate identity, http://www.adm.com/….

"ADM's ongoing evolution provides us with an opportunity to evolve ADM's purpose and identity aligned to the role we play in an ever-important industry," ADM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Juan Luciano, said in a news release.

Todd Neeley can be reached at todd.neeley@dtn.com

Follow him on Twitter @toddneeleyDTN

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