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ADM has announced an investment of more than $16 million to significantly expand natural colour production capacity at its facility in Boone County, Northern Kentucky, US.
The investment supports the addition of 14,000 square feet of manufacturing space and advanced production capabilities by early 2027. This will enable the company to increase the capacity of liquid and dry-blended colour solutions for its Colors from Nature portfolio, already produced at the site.
It builds on a recent $26 million investment in its neighbouring facility in Erlanger, Kentucky, with each investment aiming to meet growing demand for food and beverage reformulation. Manufacturers are increasingly seeking more natural ingredient options as both consumer expectations and the regulatory environment evolve, in the US and across wider global markets.
In North America, ADM noted that the ‘colour conversion’ opportunity is estimated to be worth more than $1 billion. Many food and beverage giants, such as Nestlé, Kraft Heinz and General Mills, have already transitioned, or committed to transitioning, their US portfolios from artificial colours to entirely naturally derived solutions.
This comes as US health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr’s Make America Healthy Again Commission continues to push for a nationwide shift away from synthetic ingredients and ultra-processed foods. The Food and Drug Administration is continuing to ramp up such efforts, proposing revoked authorisation for a further two petroleum-based colour additives last month, with several already having been banned in recent years.
Calvin McEvoy, ADM’s president of global flavours, said: “As customers respond to evolving consumer preferences and changing regulatory expectations, colour has become a crucial part of successful reformulation”.
He added: “Customers are looking for partners who can help them manage complexity, from sourcing and formulation to scale-up and commercialisation. By combining our global raw material network, localised manufacturing capabilities and deep formulation expertise, ADM is well-positioned to help customers bring products to market that meet consumer expectations for appearance, taste, clean-label appeal and performance."
ADM said the expansion is expected to create more than 40 salaried and hourly local jobs. The company’s presence in Northern Kentucky began in 2014, through its acquisition of Wild Flavors, and ADM now employs a workforce of more than 1,300 people throughout the region.