ADM Buys Groupe Lysac

NEW YORK - Apr 5/06 - SNS -- Archer Daniels Midland Company has bought all the assets of Groupe Lysac, Inc., including a intellectual property and technological assets to create biodegradable products from natural and renewable resources.

"Bio-based absorbent polymers are cost effective, and they can be used in conjunction with traditional absorbents to extend or partially replace the petroleum-based product," stated G. Allen Andreas, ADM Chairman, Chief Executive and President. "ADM is committed to using bio-based resources to manufacture products, like PHAs and now absorbent polymers, that are traditionally made from petroleum."

Lysac's absorbent polymers, called Safe and Natural Absorbent Polymers (SNAPs), are made primarily from starch and can be used in new generations of industrial applications and consumer products, like disposable diapers.

In March, ADM announced that it would build the first commercial plant to produce PHA biodegradable plastics in Clinton, Iowa. PHA biodegradable plastics have a wide variety of applications in products currently made from petrochemical plastics, including coated paper, film and molded goods.