TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ajinomoto Co., Inc. (TOKYO:2802) and its consolidated subsidiary of Ajinomoto Animal Nutrition Group, Inc. were awarded EcoProducts Grand Prize “The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Prize”, one of the highest honor in Japan to commend the products for environmental protection, for their long time business efforts of L-Lysine amino acid for animal nutrition.
“The award evaluating our animal nutrition business from the view point of sustainability is quite meaningful to the entire Ajinomoto Group. Since the foundation in 1909, we have been engaging in initiatives to resolve social issues through its business. By improving economic value through the creation of shared value with local communities and society as a whole, these initiatives have contributed to the Group’s growth. We are very much encouraged by the award for the evaluation of the social value of our animal nutrition business over 51 years of history. Keeping the aspiration of our founding in our hearts, we will continue to contribute to a healthy future for the humanity and the earth through products and services supported by science and technology through our overall business activities,” said Tamotsu Iwamoto, Executive Deputy President of Ajinomoto Co., Inc. and in charge of sustainability of the group.
Suppression of greenhouse gas:
Among the major compound
feeds used in the livestock sector, corn and wheat provide high levels
of energy to animals but are deficient in amino acids such as lysine and
others, limiting livestock production performances. Soybean is the main
protein source used for animal feeding providing all amino acids but
only lysine can be fully utilized by the animals, the other amino acids
being wasted, excreted as nitrogen compounds. The utilization of
industrial lysine has opened the way to the reduction of the use of
soybean through amino acid balancing practices all over the world.
Excessive nitrogen content leads to a burden being imposed on soil, air
and water quality. Nitrogen compounds from livestock waste are
oxidized/reduced by soil and air, with some nitrogen being released into
the atmosphere as nitrous oxide (N2O). The greenhouse effect
of N2O is about 300 times that of CO2. N2O
has the next largest impact on total global warming after CO2
and methane.
Supplementing the deficient amino acids with feed-use
amino acids improves the efficiency with which the livestock’s bodies
utilize amino acids. The use of lysine and other feed-use amino acids
leads to a lower amount of livestock waste and can contribute to the
prevention of global warming. (*1)
Reduction of eutrophication and acidification:
The use of
lysine and other amino acids drastically reduce the impact of animal
productions such as swine and poultry on eutrophication and
acidification, other key indicators of the environmental performances.
Prevention of deforestation:
Common compound feeds for
livestock (high-protein feed) are composed of ingredients such as corn
and soybean meal. The yield per unit of land for corn is about three
times higher than that of soybeans. Therefore, when soybean meal is
switched to the same amount of corn and lysine, the land surface used
can be reduced by about 70%. As there are fears that the development of
new areas for cultivation due to the predicted increase in land demand
for feed and food may lead to deforestation, the introduction of lysine
can be regarded as effective in both meeting demand for meat and
protecting the global environment. (*2)
Reasons for award:
-
Contribution for suppression of greenhouse gas
Ajinomoto to lower livestock waste generating N2O and CO2 to reduce 4,000,000 tons of greenhouse gas annually through lysine used for feed. -
Contribution for resolution of food problems
(prevention of deforestation)
Usage of 1 ton lysine for feed can save about 12 hectare farm land. It means the global lysine supply of 1.2 million tons save about 14 million hectare farm land equivalent to the half of soybean field in the US. -
Contribution for protection of soil and water
quality
2/3 of protein in compound feeds is excreted as nitrogen oxides that are polluting soil and water because of their imbalanced amino acids proportion. Lysine improve the balance and reduce livestock waste. (*3) - Contribution for establishing the calculation method for J-Credit Scheme
About Ajinomoto Co.
Ajinomoto Co. is a global manufacturer
of high-quality seasonings, processed foods, beverages, amino acids,
pharmaceuticals and specialty chemicals. For many decades Ajinomoto Co.
has contributed to food culture and human health through wide-ranging
application of amino acid technologies. Today, the company is becoming
increasingly involved with solutions for improved food resources, human
health and global sustainability. Founded in 1909 and now operating in
27 countries and regions, Ajinomoto Co. had net sales of JPY 1,185.9
billion (USD 9.87 billion) in fiscal 2015. For more about Ajinomoto Co.
(TOKYO:2802), visit www.ajinomoto.com.
