Trending Content

ADM

By Scott Mouw

January 22, 2026

Unlocking Sustainable Strength for Corrugated Board

ADM: A Century of Agricultural Expertise Powering the Future of Packaging

For more than a century, Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) has been turning nature’s resources into trusted, high-performance ingredients that serve industries around the world. Today, ADM’s starches and bio-based technologies are at the forefront of innovation in the corrugated board and paper packaging industry—helping manufacturers achieve greater strength, efficiency, and sustainability.

A Legacy of Reliability and Scale

Founded in 1902, ADM has evolved from a linseed-oil processor into one of the world’s largest agricultural and bio-industrial companies. With more than 270 processing facilities and a global supply chain that spans crop origination, logistics, and manufacturing, ADM delivers the scale, consistency, and dependability that corrugated producers rely on every day. ADM’s century-long commitment to excellence ensures that every product meets the performance and quality expectations of modern corrugating operations.

Innovating with Starch Technology

ADM’s Industrial Biosolutions business offers a comprehensive range of native, modified, and specialty starches engineered for corrugated board applications. These starches deliver:
    • Superior bonding and board strength, even in high-recycled fiber content
    • Stable and consistent viscosity for high-speed corrugators
    • Improved machine efficiency and reduced downtime
    • Optimized adhesive performance under varying conditions
ADM’s starch enhances fiber-to-fiber bonding within recycled paperboard, improving box durability, and contributes to greater circularity and resource efficiency.

Sustainability Built into Every Solution

As sustainability becomes the defining driver of innovation in packaging, ADM is uniquely positioned to support corrugated manufacturers in achieving their environmental goals.
    • 100% plant-based inputs: All ADM starches originate from renewable crops such as corn and wheat.
    • Energy-efficient manufacturing: ADM has reduced its Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse-gas emissions by nearly 15% since its baseline year, while advancing toward its 2035 decarbonization targets.
    • Enhancing recyclability: ADM’s starches don’t hinder pulpability and fiber recovery, enabling repeated use of paper fibers and minimizing waste to landfill.
Through these actions, ADM helps the paper and packaging sector meet the growing demand for renewable, recyclable, and responsibly sourced materials—without compromising on strength or performance.

Regenerative Agriculture: Strength from the Ground Up

ADM’s sustainability journey begins at the source—on the farm. Through our Regenerative Agriculture program, we are working hand in hand with farmers to implement practices that improve soil health, water quality, and biodiversity while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. These efforts build resilience into agricultural supply chains and create value across the entire ecosystem—from grower to customer. By sourcing starches and other ingredients from regenerative acres, ADM helps packaging manufacturers strengthen their sustainability commitments with materials rooted in climate-smart agriculture and nature-positive impact.

A Strategic Partner for the Future of Corrugated

From boxboard producers to integrated mills, ADM partners with manufacturers to drive operational efficiency and product innovation. With decades of experience in agricultural processing and industrial biosolutions, ADM is not just a supplier—it is a technology partner committed to advancing the industry’s evolution toward sustainable materials and processes. As the corrugated sector grows to meet shifting consumer and brand expectations, ADM stands ready to deliver the materials, expertise, and reliability that define the next generation of packaging.

About ADM

Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) is a global leader in agricultural processing and nutrition, unlocking the power of nature to enrich lives. Through its Industrial Biosolutions business, ADM provides sustainable, plant-based materials that enhance performance across industries—from paper and packaging to construction and adhesives. Learn more at www.adm.com/industrial-biosolutions. Scott Mouw Segment Director – Paper and Packaging scott.mouw@adm.com