ADM and CJ Form Americas Feed Amino Acid Joint Venture Across Three Plants

ADM and CJ CheilJedang have agreed to form a new joint venture that will manufacture and market feed-grade amino acids across the Americas, combining production assets in the United States and Brazil.

The venture will include CJ's fermentation facilities in Fort Dodge, Iowa, and Piracicaba, Brazil, together with ADM's feed-grade amino acid plant in Decatur, Illinois.

CJ will be the majority owner and will license intellectual property related to feed-grade amino acids for use by the venture in North and South America.

The companies say the new business will receive exclusive rights to manufacture and sell feed-grade amino acids in the Americas, creating a more integrated supply platform for livestock producers and feed manufacturers.

Amino acids such as lysine are widely used to balance livestock diets, improve feed efficiency and reduce the amount of excess protein needed in rations.

ADM said recent U.S. trade actions affecting lysine imports from China reinforced the case for maintaining domestic production capacity and strengthening supply resilience.

The agreement does not include ADM's other Decatur operations or other global fermentation assets, while CJ will retain its intellectual property and fermentation businesses outside the scope of the venture.

The joint venture remains subject to customary closing steps and regulatory approvals. Once completed, it would combine CJ's fermentation technology and sales network with ADM's manufacturing footprint and feedstock supply.