DECATUR, ILLINOIS, U.S. — ADM Alliance Nutrition, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Archer Daniels Midland Company announced on March 26 it will build a feed premix plant in Effingham, Illinois, U.S. The facility will include enhanced controls and processes to meet the highest standards in safety and quality for pet food premixes and specialty blends.

"As animal feed safety regulations evolve, this new facility will position Alliance Nutrition at the forefront of the industry, with one of the most advanced premixing facilities in the world," said Chuck Loefer, general manager, Pet Food Premixes and Specialty Blending. "We will be using the latest equipment and automated processes to help ensure product quality and safety."

The plant will incorporate state-of-the-art stainless steel conveyances and processing equipment. Automation will enable real-time tracking of every ingredient through bar coding and lot controlled numbering systems, ADM said.

"Our customers count on us to provide them with safe, reliable ingredients to manufacture high-quality pet foods," said Loefer. "We are committed to helping our customers deliver products to better serve the growing market for premium pet foods."

The new facility will be located adjacent to the company's warehouse on Niccum Avenue and will replace its existing premix manufacturing plant in Effingham.

ADM Alliance Nutrition expects the new facility to be completed and fully operational in early 2014.