PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur Tbk ("ICBP" or "the Company") today announces that its 60% owned subsidiary, PT Surya Rengo Container ("SRC"), a joint venture company with Rengo Co., Ltd., Japan has commenced operation of its fourth corrugated packaging plant ("Karawang Plant").

The new Karawang Plant which is located at Karawang International Industrial City will provide an additional capacity of around 60 thousand tons per year to fulfill increasing demand from third-party customers as well as Indofood Group. SRC's consistency in providing high quality corrugated products has earned recognition from prominent international customers as one of the preferred suppliers.

Anthoni Salim, President Director and Chief Executive Officer of ICBP said: "Our new Karawang Plant will strengthen SRC position as one of the key player in the corrugated industry and simultaneously support the growth potential of Indofood Group."

PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur Tbk ("ICBP") and Asahi Group Holdings Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. ("Asahi") today announced that they have signed joint venture agreements to establish companies to manufacture and market non-alcoholic beverages in Indonesia.

ICBP will have a majority shareholding of 51% in the entity which will undertake the marketing and distribution of the products, while Asahi will have a majority shareholding of 51% in the entity which will manufacture the products.

The non-alcoholic beverage market in Indonesia has been growing at a double digit pace in the last five years, mainly driven by increasing income per capita and a growing middle-income segment. Per capita income has been rising consistently and is now estimated at around US$3,600, up from US$3,000 a year ago. This is an important milestone for the next wave of consumerism. The middle-income segment now accounts for more than 50% of the population.
ICBP is one of Indonesia's leading packaged food companies supported by an extensive distribution network, while Asahi is one of the world's leading players in the beverage business with excellent manufacturing and marketing capabilities. The joint venture companies will leverage on both strengths to capture the opportunities in Indonesia's non-alcoholic beverage market.

"We feel privileged and look forward to be working together with Asahi as we have a good strategic fit. The synergies from the combined strengths of both companies will place us in a better position to become one of the leading players in Indonesia's non-alcoholic beverage industry. This alliance marks an important milestone for ICBP, allowing us to expand our business categories, which will increase our presence in the market; hence accelerating growth," said Anthoni Salim, the President Director and CEO of ICBP.

"Asahi is extremely excited and see tremendous opportunity entering the non-alcoholic beverage business in Indonesia through forming a partnership with ICBP. While it is our first time operating in Indonesia, we will strive to offer products that meet the expectations of customers in Indonesia by combining ICBP's knowledge on food product development and our product development as well as quality management expertise. By opening our ears to customers' voice and continuing to offer quality products, we are confident without any doubts that this business will be successful in the growing non-alcoholic beverage market in Indonesia," said Naoki Izumiya, the President of Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd.

Following media reports in Taiwan on the inclusion of the E218 (Methyl P-Hydroxybenzoate) food preservative in Indomie instant noodle products, PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur Tbk ("ICBP" or "the Company") would like to clarify that noodle products the Company exports to Taiwan are wholly compliant with the regulations of Taiwan Department of Health Bureau of Food Safety.

The Company believes that the recent reports in the Taiwanese media arose in relation to instant noodle products manufactured by ICBP that were not intended for the Taiwanese market.

ICBP has exported instant noodles products to countries across the world for more than 20 years. ICBP has always taken all necessary actions to ensure that its products comply with food safety regulations in all of its markets.

"ICBP would like to emphasize that its products are wholly compliant with the globally accepted guidelines set out by the CODEX Alimentarius Commission, the international food standards body. We are reviewing the situation in Taiwan, in relation to these reports and will take any action necessary to protect our consumers in this and other countries", said Taufik Wiraatmadja, Director of ICBP.