Archer Daniels Midland Company has begun a significant expansion and modernization of its export terminal in Santos, in the Brazilian state of So Paulo.
The project will expand the facility's annual storage and grain handling capacity from 6 million to 8 million metric tons, and will significantly enhance environmental controls.
"Brazil is one of the world's most important agricultural producers, and ADM is continuing to deliver on our strategy as we invest to expand our already significant operations there," said Greg Morris, president of ADM's Oilseeds Processing business. "The Port of Santos is one of two major ADM gateways from Brazil to customers around the world, and with this expansion we are enhancing our ability to move crops from there to Asian, African and European customers.
"We are also continuing with the expansion of our jointly owned export terminal in Barcarena, which will increase volume to 6 million metric tons per year," Morris added. "ADM is already one of Brazil's largest exporters of agricultural products. When these improvements to both ports are complete, we will be able to move even more crops out of Brazil, and we will be able to do so more efficiently, enhancing both our capability to meet global customer demand and our ability to grow our returns in South America."
In addition to increased capacity and efficiency, the upgrades include a wide range of new technologies to help minimize particulate emissions at the facility.
"In order to ensure that we continue to be a good neighbor in Santos, we conducted extensive research into the most advanced technologies available to limit the environmental impact of our operations," said Luciano Botelho, ADM's president, South American Oilseeds. "These changes will make our operations in Santos a global leader in the use of technology to reduce particulate emissions."
ADM's original Santos Port concession began in 1997. Last year, the company signed an agreement to continue operations at the port until 2037.
The project is scheduled for completion in mid-2017.
