Ajinomoto Co Inc has agreed to acquire all the shares which it does not own in its two joint ventures with Monsanto in the sweetener business in Europe. NutraSweet AG located in Zug, Switzerland and Euro-Aspartame SA, located at Gravelines in northern France, will become wholly-owned subsidiaries of Ajinomoto Co Inc when the deal is closed.

NutraSweet AG is the leader in the European Aspartame market, while Euro-Aspartame SA is the world's most modern manufacturing facility. The agreed purchase price for the remaining shares in both companies is $67 million.

Hans Heezen, vice-president of NutraSweet AG said, "Since NutraSweet AG was founded in 1983 in response to the demand for aspartame from the European food and drinks industry, Ajinomoto has been a highly supportive shareholder in the business. Now that Monsanto has decided to sell its interest in sweeteners, we are delighted to become a full member of the Ajinomoto family."

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