ADM
Global Headquarters
77 W. Wacker Dr., Ste. 4600
Chicago, IL, 60601
Phone: (312) 634-8100
Website: www.adm.com

Mark Lotsch currently leads the global health and wellness business for ADM. With more than two decades of experience in executive roles in the flavor industry, Lotsch initially joined ADM leading the flavors and specialty ingredients business for EMEA, and later the ADM flavors business globally. Lotsch holds a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Kiel in Germany.

As a premier global human and animal nutrition company, ADM delivers solutions today with an eye to the future. ADM is blazing new trails in health and well-being, developing groundbreaking products to support healthier living. ADM is a cutting-edge innovator leading the way to a new future of plant-based consumer and industrial solutions to replace petroleum-based products. ADM is an unmatched agricultural supply chain manager and processor, providing food security by connecting local needs with global capabilities. And ADM is a leader in sustainability, scaling across entire value chains to help decarbonize the industry and safeguard the planet.

NIE: ADM recently opened a microbiome production facility in Valencia, Spain and also acquired Deerland Probiotics & Enzymes. What does this growth and expansion mean for the company?

Lotsch: As the microbiome arena expands at a rapid pace, we see microbiome modulation as key for next-generation nutrition innovation. Through our expanded capabilities, partnerships and acquisitions, ADM is paving the way for what’s next in health and wellness.

The opening of our more than $30 million production facility in Valencia, Spain is an excellent example of this, as it’s the world’s first facility manufacturing both probiotics and postbiotics simultaneously. The site is producing our award-winning probiotic BPL1 (Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis CECT 8145) and heat-treated BPL1 postbiotic, as well as other ADM proprietary strains, supplying a broad range of customers.

Our acquisition of Deerland Probiotics & Enzymes further represents our strategic extension of our science-backed health and wellness solutions, enabling us to expand our North American footprint, including our capabilities in Kennesaw, GA. From custom formulation development of biotics, including spore-forming probiotics, and enzymes to the production of on-trend applications, we’re supporting our customers in delivering on the demands of consumers today and tomorrow.

NIE: How is ADM supporting brands in delivering new innovations in the personalized nutrition space?

Lotsch: A one-size-fits-all approach no longer works for today’s consumers. Health and wellness brands must move toward offering personalized support and provide flexibility, choice and convenience. From concept to commercialization, we’re helping our customers swiftly bring innovative, tailored products to market. We tap our vast library of ingredients and solutions, including botanical extracts, plant-based ingredients, prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics, sweetening solutions and flavors and colors derived from natural sources and much more, to build new personalized nutrition possibilities.

We specifically see postbiotics and spore-forming probiotics as the next frontier of personalized nutrition solutions, as they can retain functionality through harsh processing conditions, such as high heat or water content. Solutions like our heat-treated BPL1 and ES1 (Bifidobacterium longum CECT 7347) postbiotics and DE111 (Bacillus subtilis) spore-forming probiotic are opening the door for a variety of convenient, functional formats like gummies, baked snacks and stick packs.

NIE: Please describe ADM Cares and some of the initiatives it has funded.

Lotsch: Through our corporate social investment program, ADM Cares, we’re working to ensure the communities where our colleagues work, live and operate are supported. This may include projects that support food security, education or help implement responsible agriculture practices.

For example, ADM Cares has contributed over $1 million to Concern Worldwide to create the Lifesaving Education and Assistance to Farmers program (LEAF), a dual-phase initiative to address malnutrition in Kenya and Ethiopia. The program supports activities to alleviate malnutrition, promotes sustainable agriculture techniques, provides training and access to financing, equitable business opportunities and more. In 2022, ADM Cares contributed $120,000 to the ADM Institute for the Prevention of Post-Harvest Loss (ADMI), supporting three different projects in Bangladesh and Indonesia, helping to alleviate food waste and extending capabilities for hunger relief.

These are just a few examples of the initiatives and projects ADM Cares supports each year. Our dedicated ADM Cares team continues to evaluate opportunities that drive meaningful social, economic and environmental progress.

NIE: Is there anything else you would like to add?

Lotsch: Lotsch: For over 120 years, ADM has been committed to delivering groundbreaking solutions to support the well-being of people across the globe, while keeping what’s best for the planet in mind. The food, beverage and dietary supplement industries are critical to building a bright future for consumers, as well as supporting initiatives and addressing challenges associated with the overarching macro trends of health and well-being, sustainability and food security.