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Cargill to Begin Marketing ARA through Joint
Venture with China’s Wuhan Alking
MINNEAPOLIS - August 28, 2004 - Cargill Health & Food
Technologies will enter the arachidonic acid (ARA) business through
a new joint venture agreement with Wuhan Alking Bioengineering
Co. Ltd., the number one ARA producer in China serving the Chinese
infant formula business.
ARA is an essential fatty acid that, in conjunction with DHA, an omega-3 essential fatty acid, has long been recognized as important in infant nutrition, including promoting the growth of organs and tissues. Found naturally in breast milk, ARA and DHA are thought to support the development of infants’ brains and eyes. The nutrients are becoming an important ingredient in infant formula globally.
“We see the opportunity to serve our global customers in China and select geographies with their increasing needs for ARA. We view Alking as a great partner to aid in serving our customers with the high quality ARA oil and powder products that they demand,” said Ted Ziemann, president, Cargill Health & Food Technologies.
“We are excited to have Cargill as a partner in the ARA business. We believe the combination of Alking’s ARA technology and process capability coupled with Cargill’s global presence will allow us to serve infant formula companies on a much broader basis,” said Mr. Yi, chairman, Wuhan Alking.
The joint venture is expected to be up and operating within the next 30 to120 days.
About Cargill H&FT:
Cargill Health & Food Technologies, based in Minneapolis,
is a leading developer, processor and marketer of science-based,
healthy ingredients for food and dietary supplements worldwide.
Cargill H&FT is part of Cargill’s Food System Design
initiative in which Cargill businesses work with customers to
produce ingredient solutions for affordable, nutritious, convenient
and appetizing consumer products. Cargill H&FT is a business
unit of Cargill, an international provider of food, agricultural
and risk management products and services. With 101,000 employees
in 59 countries, the company is committed to using its knowledge
and experience to collaborate with customers to help them succeed.
For more information, visit http://www.cargillhft.com
or http://www.cargill.com.
About Wuhan Alking:
Wuhan Alking Bioengineering Co. Ltd. is a producer and marketer
of arachidonic acid located in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. For
more information, visit http://www.alking.com.cn
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