Ajinomoto Foods North America
Culture of Efficiency Leads to Operational and Environmental Benefits
The Situation
Ajinomoto Foods North America (AFNA) is a specialty frozen food manufacturer creating products designed for well-being—bringing happiness, peace of mind, and connection to the everyday moments that matter most. Through our foodservice and retail brands—including Ajinomoto®, José Olé®, Ling Ling®, and Tai Pei®—we are making everyday eating a happy experience.
AFNA is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ajinomoto Co., Inc., a global leader in amino acid science and innovation. Together, we’re committed to a 2030 goal of reducing environmental impact by 50% and helping extend the healthy lifespans of one billion people worldwide—because sustainability is an investment in the future of well-being.
The Solution
In support of Ajinomoto Global’s commitments, over the past three years our Toluca, Illinois plant has become a model for sustainability through relentless teamwork, innovation, and measurable impact earning it a nomination for Food Processing‘s Green Plant of the Year.
Toluca’s approach — combining cross-functional collaboration, data-driven action, and a forward-thinking mindset — has created a blueprint for sustainability excellence that can be replicated across our network. Their achievements prove that when a culture of efficiency takes root, the environmental and operational benefits are limitless.
Sustainability is Our Commitment to the Future of Well-Being.
The Impact
Partnering with ComEd and an energy consultant, the team at the Toluca plant has now completed three treasure hunts and 20 high-impact projects since March 2022, with the newest treasure hunt taking place in September 2025. During these reviews, we look for projects that will reduce the energy use of the plant.
These initiatives have saved an estimated 655,000 kWh and reduced over 450 metric tons of CO₂ — equal to powering 60 homes for a year. Many of these projects focused on optimizing the refrigeration system for the best efficiency which continues to be a focus for the plant.
This plant’s leadership extends beyond energy savings. This year, Toluca launched a food composting program and added plastic film recycling, achieving an impressive 55% reduction in landfill waste year-to-date — well ahead of their FY25 goal of 20%.
Sustainability is Our Commitment to the Future of Well-Being.