ADM to expand cocoa operations in Singapore

Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE: ADM) today announced that it will expand its cocoa processing capabilities at its facility in Singapore. As part of the expansion, ADM will add and upgrade processing equipment in order to increase productivity and production capacity to meet growing demand for cocoa products in the Asian market.

“The expansion of our operations in Singapore marks an increased investment in Asia, which is an important market for our cocoa business,” said Yeong Chye, managing director, ADM Cocoa Asia. “The goal of the project is to increase efficiency and production capacity to support ADM Cocoa’s strategy of expanding cocoa powder volumes and becoming the preferred global provider of cocoa and chocolate solutions.”

The facility in Singapore is currently host to an ADM Cocoa Advantage Center, a technical and R&D resource where customers can collaborate directly with ADM experts on product formulations and applications. The expansion project will complement ADM’s R&D and product development capabilities in the country to meet growing customer demand for innovative cocoa product solutions.

Adds Yeong Chye, “By upgrading processes to create more efficient production and leveraging our R&D capabilities, we are strengthening ADM’s ability to serve customers in Asia and beyond.”

The equipment upgrades will begin in early 2012 and are expected to be completed in the fall of 2012.

About ADM in Singapore

In Singapore, ADM’s primary business is processing cocoa beans. At our cocoa processing plant in Singapore, we process cocoa beans procured from countries in Asia Pacific into semi-finished products such as cocoa butter, cocoa liquor and cocoa powder. These products are sold and distributed under the deZaan™ brand name through our local and global sales networks.

ADM’s facility in Singapore also hosts an ADM Cocoa Advantage Center, an R&D and product development resource where ADM experts work directly with customers to create cocoa and chocolate solutions. ADM employs nearly 300 people in Singapore.