Ajinomoto, whose name is synonymous with monosodium glutamate, is opening shop in India

Ajinomoto Co Inc, whose name is synonymous with flavour enhancer monosodium glutamate (MSG), is setting up manufacturing base in India.

The Japanese multinational has applied for licence to produce the controversial MSG, which is at the centre of the Maggi controversy.

Ajinomoto has already taken up space in the 1,500-acre industrial park, OneHub, at Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu, additional chief secretary CV Sankar told dna.

The company recently briefed Japanese investors about its India strategy.

The application for Industrial Entrepreneur Memorandum has been filled on May 28 for the manufacture of the controversial chemical only, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion data revealed.

Ajinomoto India has so far been importing and supplying MSG under its brand Ajinomoto, inosinate and guanylate, food items and chicken and mutton masala under the brand Hapima.

Inosinate and guanylate are nucleotide seasoning, which is sometimes used in combination with MSG in soups for instant noodles and some processed foods.

The company describes itself as a global manufacturer of seasonings, processed foods, beverages, pharmaceuticals and specialty chemicals, with specialisation in a wide-ranging application of amino acid technologies, clocking a turnover of $10.23 billion in 2015.

MSG is a salt of amino acid.

During a recent briefing of Japanese investors, Ajinotomo revealed its entry strategy for India, which spoke of initial focus on the southern market.

The registration of a joint venture company is completed, and preparation for internal production of core products with a new plant and the launch of two new products, mainly in the four states of South India centered on

Tamil Nadu are the key strategy for its "rising star" markets.

Despite the controversy surrounding MSG, Ajinomoto has seen a 70% growth in the product category in 2015 in retail applications like flavour seasonings.

Interestingly, while the country is now debating the ill-effects of MSG on human health, Ajinomoto, which specialises in its production, has been trying for years to establish something quite opposite.

In 2010, it started a trial on overweight women in the US to see "whether adding sodium glutamate to food facilitates the control of appetite and caloric intake, and prevents body weight rebound, following a period of moderate energy restriction and weight loss."

"Regularly including MSG or foods naturally high in glutamate may help people improve quality of food and amount of intake, yet maintain emotional and pleasurable qualities of eating," the company claimed.