Better feed set to bring better food

What are the unique advantages brought by Adisseo's Chinese element? How do you define the business strategy to give full play to these advantages?

Being part of a large Chinese industrial group has allowed us to learn from each other. The path toward the solution of a problem is different in each culture. Based on shared respect and with our colleagues from Bluestar, we have been able to adapt our processes, keeping fundamental values and adjusting behavior in order to benefit from each other.

This has allowed us to build and now to operate a major plant successfully. Over the past 12 years we have evolved from a French company with an international presence into a bicultural company with global reach.

What has been your company's biggest achievement in China?

We have successfully developed and built one of the major methionine platforms in the world in Nanjing and we are now considering its extension. Safety records for the construction of the plant as well as its operation since 2013 have been best in class by world standards. This goes beyond manufacturing. We are extremely proud to grow talent in R&D and we are filing our first Chinese patents on innovative industrial processes. On a wider scope, we have developed a new managerial program based on the concept of "West meets East" building on the strengths of both cultures.

What is your company's strategy for localization? How is your relationship with local partners?

We do not have any prejudice regarding location of our investments. Each business is different, and we have to assess where the best opportunities lie. China is the largest poultry and pork market in the world, and is of course a prime location.

In relation to methionine, we have renewed our commitment to China with the construction of our new platform again.

The experience we have developed with local suppliers and partners is allowing us to count on improved efficiency in construction and operation of a major site with a higher share of our equipment made in China. This element recognizes the increased quality and the ability to find local suppliers with best-in-class practices.

Another example is our vitamins business where we have developed long-term partnerships with Chinese suppliers providing them with extended access to foreign markets.

What's your vision for Adisseo in the next five to 10 years, and what type of role does the Chinese market play in that?

We are still quite ambitious in our sustainable development. Our vision is to continue to develop innovative solutions to provide affordable, environmentally friendly animal protein - better feed for animals and better food for people. In this context we will actively contribute to the quality and safety of animal protein. China will remain the biggest market for animal protein and with its economic development, Chinese citizens are aspiring to consume healthier products.

Adisseo's acquisition has been viewed as a classic investment case between China and France. What do you think of its influence on China-France business exchanges?

This acquisition is the perfect illustration of materializing the potential to create value jointly.

Adisseo's acquisition by Bluestar has demonstrated the value of patience. We have taken the time to learn from each other and make appropriate adjustments in order to improve the connection. Respect has also been a key value and we have challenged our local biases to better understand each other's perspective and find together the best attitude toward a situation.

The French and Chinese people have a lot more in common than we think: we both believe in interpersonal relations and respect being more important than just numbers. Developing a sustainable and balanced relationship takes time and we have also demonstrated that sustainable economic value has been created.