Q&A with Matthias Vogelsang: A Versatile Career Built on Ownership and Initiative

Matthias Vogelsang recently took on the role of Animal Nutrition President for the Europe, Middle East and Africa region. He has been with ADM for 20 years, serving in a variety of positions. During that time, he has watched the company evolve from a predominantly commodity-focused business in Europe into the diversified global business it is today.

While processes and governance have increased over time, he believes ADM enables employees to be entrepreneurial within the organization, offering a unique balance between structure and the freedom to create value. With his new focus on the EMEA Animal Nutrition business, Matthias will continue to find areas where ADM can differentiate and add value to customers while maintaining its critical role in feeding the world.

How has your role evolved since you've been with ADM?

I completed a master's degree in management, economics and consumer studies at Wageningen University in the Netherlands and then joined ADM in 2006 as a commercial management trainee, where I learned early on the value of being a self-starter. One of my first assignments was at a production facility, where I mapped production processes and developed a reference guide that the site continued to use years later.

My career has spanned multiple areas of the business, including oilseeds and refined oils, food ingredients, alternative proteins and animal nutrition. Some of the projects I've been proud of were helping to reposition the refined oils commodity business toward higher-value food customer relationships and supporting the integration and development of ADM's soy protein business in Serbia following an acquisition. This varied background has given me perspective from commercial, operational, customer-centric, strategic and technical standpoints.

As you step into your new Animal Nutrition leadership role, what are your top priorities, and how has your experience shaped the vision you have for the EMEA region?

I'm focused on helping customers succeed by combining world-class science with local expertise and strong partnerships. We continue to invest in innovation, both basic and applied, as well as our technical capabilities to develop solutions that support animal health, well-being and performance while addressing the evolving needs of our customers.

At the same time, we're working to make it easier for customers to do business with us by simplifying how we operate, strengthening collaboration across our teams, and ensuring we deliver reliable products and services where they’re needed most. Together, these efforts help us bring innovative nutrition solutions to market and create long-term value for customers, industry partners and communities across the region.

ADM's animal nutrition headquarters is located in Rolle, and an R&D center dedicated to animal microbiomes opened in Lausanne last year. Why is Switzerland a strategic hub for growth of ADM's Animal Nutrition business?

ADM has operations across 18 countries in Europe and five in Africa. Our headquarters in Rolle, Switzerland is strategically located in the heart of the Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley, a leading hub for scientific innovation. Likewise, ADM's first R&D center focused entirely on animal microbiome and preclinical research, located about 30 km away in Lausanne, was added to our global R&D network in 2025. Both facilities have proximity to a hub of biotech startups, world-class companies and leading scientific institutions, which enables strategic collaborations that will advance animal health and wellness.

How do you anticipate the animal nutrition industry will continue to evolve in next 5 years? 

I see several major trends shaping the future, such as more diverse consumer demands, greater regionalization, increasing regulations and technological innovations.

Our tailored nutrition solutions and services address the three main challenges producers face: health through nutrition, animal performance and environmental impact. Furthermore, our animal nutrition work underpins three pillars that are more relevant than ever: food security, health and well-being, and sustainability.

•    Diverse Consumer Demands: Consumers increasingly want products aligned with specific preferences and values, including sustainability, traceability, local sourcing and transparency. Sustainability in particular will become more integrated into commercial decision-making to address this demand.

•    Regionalization: Geopolitical factors and changing trade dynamics will continue to influence sourcing and production strategies, shifting supply chains to be more regionally focused.

•    Regulations: Regulatory requirements will continue to expand globally, especially around sustainability and traceability. 

•    Animal Nutrition: Technology will continue to transform how the industry approaches animal health, productivity and sustainability. Advances in nutritional science, precision feeding, data analytics and biotechnology will help producers improve efficiency while reducing environmental impact.

We see this evolution firsthand through our research and innovation efforts. Our scientists are developing solutions that improve feed intake by deepening our understanding of animal biology, including research into swine sweet taste receptors, while enhancing nutrient utilization with more bioavailable trace minerals that support greater absorption and reduced nutrient excretion. These innovations reflect a broader industry shift toward more precise, efficient and sustainable production systems.

At the same time, farm consolidation, succession challenges and increasingly integrated value chains are creating demand for solutions that combine innovation with practical, on-farm value. By bringing Next Generation Thinking to our solutions and services, ADM helps customers navigate complexity, improve performance and unlock new opportunities for growth.

After two decades with ADM, what has kept you engaged and motivated through your career, and how has that motivation evolved over the years?

I've learned that those who thrive at ADM take initiative, accept ambiguity, learn through experience, build trusted relationships, and consistently create value. I continue to be inspired and motivated by our bigger purpose. Despite changes in markets, consumer preferences, geopolitics and regulations, ADM’s fundamental role remains the same: ensuring food and feed reach people and animals around the world.

Learn more about ADM's Next Generation Thinking approach to Animal Nutrition here.