ADM has revealed plans to invest over $16 million into its Boone County facility in Kentucky to enhance production capabilities for its Colors From Nature line of naturally sourced color solutions.
This investment will add 14,000 square feet of manufacturing space along with cutting-edge production technologies by early 2027. The expansion is aimed at significantly boosting the output of both liquid and dry-blended color solutions currently produced at the site, addressing rising customer demand. This follows a previous $26 million investment at the adjacent Erlanger facility, aimed at bolstering its capabilities to meet the increasing needs for food and beverage reformulations.
“As preferences among consumers evolve and regulatory requirements shift, color has emerged as a vital element in successful reformulation,” stated Calvin McEvoy, ADM’s president of global flavors. “This investment enhances our capacity to provide high-quality, dependable, and scalable natural color solutions from our Colors From Nature range, while further establishing Northern Kentucky as a key center for ADM’s North American colors operations.”
“ADM’s ongoing investment is a testament to Northern Kentucky’s capability to support progressive manufacturers in their growth,” added Boone County judge/executive Gary Moore. “This expansion will generate quality employment opportunities while fortifying our region’s food and beverage manufacturing industry and aiding ADM in meeting the increasing demand for naturally sourced color solutions.”
“ADM has been a tremendous ally for the City of Erlanger, and we wish them continued success as they expand their Northern Kentucky operations,” remarked Mayor Jessica Fette of Erlanger. “This investment highlights the strength of our region’s skilled workforce and establishes Northern Kentucky as a prime location for large companies to thrive.”
The expansion arrives at a time when the color conversion market in North America is estimated to exceed $1 billion, propelled by increasing regulatory and consumer demand for food and beverage manufacturers to shift away from artificial colors towards naturally derived alternatives.
ADM’s capabilities in naturally sourced colors encompass proprietary products and technologies that assist customers in overcoming the complex challenges of natural color conversion. The company’s capacity to deliver high-quality and consistent solutions simplifies product development and commercialization for customers, enabling the creation of more appealing products across various categories.
“Customers seek partners capable of navigating complexities, from sourcing and formulation to scaling up and commercialization,” McEvoy noted. “By leveraging our global network of raw materials, localized manufacturing resources, and extensive formulation expertise, ADM is optimally positioned to assist customers in launching products that align with consumer expectations for appearance, taste, clean label allure, and performance.”
Since its acquisition of WILD Flavors in 2014, ADM has been a part of Northern Kentucky, employing over 1,300 workers in the area. Through ongoing investment in production capabilities, innovative technologies, and local talent, ADM has enhanced the significance of its facilities in serving food and beverage clients throughout North America.
