Ajinomoto Centralises European Aspartame Operations

24/05/06 Following the completion of its expansion of aspartame manufacturing capacity in April, Ajinomoto has announced that it will streamline its European operations. The operations of Ajinomoto Euro-Aspartame SAS and Ajinomoto Switzerland AG will be combined in one operating unit, to be named Ajinomoto Sweeteners Europe SAS. The company will be located at the aspartame production facility in Gravelines, France and will become operational on 1 July, 2006.

Ajinomoto is the world's leading producer of aspartame and is placing itself in the best possible position to support the further development of its customers' businesses. There has been impressive growth of a wide range of products sweetened with aspartame, including soft drinks, yogurts and confectionary.  In many markets, aspartame-sweetened products now outsell their full calorie equivalents. The restructuring will increase efficiencies and so enable Ajinomoto to maximise the value that it delivers to customers.

Mr Norifumi Okita, President designate of Ajinomoto Sweeteners Europe said: "Aspartame is an outstanding success in Europe. The decision to focus our activities in one organisation and to create an integrated production and commercial entity will further strengthen Ajinomoto’s competitive position in the aspartame market. Any reorganisation has its challenges, but Ajinomoto is working to ensure that the change is seamless for its customers."