Archer Daniels Midland Company and Qingdao Vland Biotech Group Co. Ltd. announced a joint development agreement for the development and commercialization of enzymes for animal feed applications. In addition to ADM's research center in Decatur, Illinois, ADM will open a new U.S. enzyme research and development lab in California that will directly support activities being undertaken in the joint development agreement.

Vland will also conduct research and development in its Qingdao research laboratory, which will be upgraded to a new facility. Under the terms of the agreement, the companies will share enzyme-producing strains as a basis for the development of feed enzymes that will improve animal nutrition and health. Products developed under the agreement will be commercialized by both companies.

This agreement and the opening of its new enzyme lab will significantly enhance its ability to develop products for the fast-growing enzyme market.