Ajinomoto Is Awarded for the Contribution to Reduce Greenhouse Gas through Feed-Use L-Lysine
08 Dicembre 2016 - 1:00PM
Business Wire
Use of L-Lysine could drastically save
soybean field and prevent deforestation
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.
This Smart News Release features multimedia.
View the full release here:
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161208005457/en/
Award Ceremony Dec. 8, 2016 (Photo:
Business Wire)
“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 gasAjinomoto 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 quality2/3 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.
View source
version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161208005457/en/
[Media Contact]Ajinomoto Co., Inc.Hiroyuki Miyoshi,
+81-3-5250-8165PR/ CSR Group,Global Communication
Departmentcsr_info@ajinomoto.com