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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

x       ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010

or

o          TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from     to     

Commission file number 1-13397

CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (708) 551-2600

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: NONE

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes x  No o

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  Yes o  No x

Note — Checking the box above will not relieve any registrant required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act from their obligations under those Sections.

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes x  No o

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes x  No o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  o

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a small reporting company.  See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “small reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one)

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o  No x

The aggregate market value of the Registrant’s voting stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant (based upon the per share closing price of $30.30 on June 30, 2010, and, for the purpose of this calculation only, the assumption that all of the Registrant’s directors and executive officers are affiliates) was approximately $2,317,000,000.

The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant’s Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, as of February 23, 2011, was 76,189,000.

Documents Incorporated by Reference:

Information required by Part III (Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14) of this document is incorporated by reference to certain portions of the Registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement (the “Proxy Statement”) to be distributed in connection with its 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after December 31, 2010.

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CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

FORM 10-K
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PART I.

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS

The Company

Corn Products International, Inc. was incorporated as a Delaware corporation in 1997 and its common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange.  Corn Products International, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells a number of ingredients to a wide variety of food, beverage, brewing and industrial customers.

For purposes of this report, unless the context otherwise requires, all references herein to the “Company,” “Corn Products,” “we,” “us,” and “our” shall mean Corn Products International, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

On October 1, 2010, the Company acquired National Starch, a global provider of specialty starches from Akzo Nobel N.V., headquartered in the Netherlands.  National Starch is a recognized innovator in food ingredients and specialty starches.  Its technologies are supported by a world-class research and development infrastructure and protected by more than 800 patents and patents pending, which drive development of advanced specialty starches for the next generation of food products.

We are a major supplier of high-quality food ingredients and industrial products derived from wet milling and processing of corn and other starch-based materials. We engage in corn refining, a capital-intensive, two-step process that involves the wet milling and processing of corn.  During the front-end process, corn is steeped in a water-based solution and separated into starch and co-products such as animal feed and corn oil.  The starch is then either dried for sale or further processed to make sweeteners, starches and other ingredients that serve the particular needs of various industries.

Our consolidated net sales were $4.37 billion in 2010.  Approximately 56 percent of our 2010 net sales were provided from our North American operations. Our South American operations provided 28 percent of net sales, while our Asia/African and European operations contributed approximately 14 percent and 2 percent, respectively.

Our products are derived primarily from the processing of corn and other starch-based materials, such as tapioca. potato and rice

Our sweetener products include glucose corn syrups, high maltose corn syrups, high fructose corn syrup (“HFCS”), caramel color, dextrose, polyols, maltodextrins and glucose and corn syrup solids.  Our starch-based products include both industrial and food-grade starches.

Corn Products supplies a broad range of customers in many diverse industries around the world, including the food, beverage, brewing, pharmaceutical, paper and corrugated products, textile and personal care industries, as well as the global animal feed and corn oil markets.

We believe our approach to production and service, which focuses on local management and production improvements of our worldwide operations, provides us with a unique understanding of the cultures and product requirements in each of the geographic markets in which we operate, bringing added value to our customers through innovative solutions.

Products

Sweetener Products. Our sweetener products represented approximately 52 percent, 56 percent and 53 percent of our net sales for 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

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Glucose Corn Syrups: Corn syrups are fundamental ingredients widely used in food products, such as baked goods, snack foods, beverages, canned fruits, condiments, candy and other sweets, dairy products, ice cream, jams and jellies, prepared mixes and table syrups.

High Maltose Corn Syrup: This special type of glucose syrup is primarily used as a fermentable sugar in brewing beers. High maltose corn syrups are also used in the production of confections, canning and some other food processing applications.

High Fructose Corn Syrup: High fructose corn syrup is used in a variety of consumer products including soft drinks, fruit-flavored beverages, baked goods, dairy products, confections and other food and beverage products.

Dextrose: We currently produce dextrose products that are grouped in three different categories - monohydrate, anhydrous and specialty. Monohydrate dextrose is used across the food industry in many of the same products as glucose corn syrups, especially in confectionery applications. Anhydrous dextrose is used to make solutions for intravenous injection and other pharmaceutical applications, as well as some specialty food applications. Specialty dextrose products are used in a wide range of applications, from confectionery tableting to dry mixes to carriers for high intensity sweeteners. Dextrose also has a wide range of industrial applications, including use in wall board and production of biodegradable surfactants (surface agents), humectants (moisture agents), and as the base for fermentation products including vitamins, organic acids, amino acids and alcohol.

Polyols:  These products are sugar-free, reduced calorie sweeteners primarily derived from starch or sugar for the food, beverage, confectionery, industrial, personal and oral care, and nutritional supplement markets.

Maltodextrins and Glucose and Corn Syrup Solids: These products have a multitude of food applications, including formulations where liquid corn syrups cannot be used. Maltodextrins are resistant to browning, provide excellent solubility, have a low hydroscopicity (do not retain moisture), and are ideal for their carrier/bulking properties. Corn syrup solids have a bland flavor, remain clear in solution, are easy to handle and provide bulking properties.

Starch Products.  Our starch products represented approximately 28 percent, 23 percent and 22 percent of our net sales for 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  Starches are an important component in a wide range of processed foods, where they are used for adhesions, clouding, dusting, expansion, fat replacement, freshness, gelling, glazing, mouth feel, stabilization and texture. Cornstarch is sold to cornstarch packers for sale to consumers.  Starches are also used in paper production to create a smooth surface for printed communications and to improve strength in recycled papers. Specialty starches are used for enhanced drainage, fiber retention, oil and grease resistance, improved printability and biochemical oxygen demand control. In the corrugating industry, starches and specialty starches are used to produce high quality adhesives for the production of shipping containers, display board and other corrugated applications.  The textile industry has successfully used starches and specialty starches to provide size and finishes for manufactured products.  Industrial starches are used in the production of construction materials, textiles, adhesives, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, as well as in mining, water filtration and oil and gas drilling. Specialty starches are used for biomaterial applications including biodegradable plastics, fabric softeners and detergents, hair and skin care applications, dusting powders for surgical gloves and in the production of glass fiber and insulation.

Co-Products and others.  Co-products and others accounted for 20 percent, 21 percent and 25 percent of our net sales for 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  Refined corn oil (from germ) is sold to packers of cooking oil and to producers of margarine, salad dressings, shortening, mayonnaise and other foods.  Corn gluten feed is sold as animal feed. Corn gluten meal is sold as high protein feed for chickens, pet food and aquaculture primarily, and steepwater is sold as an additive for animal feed.

Geographic Scope and Operations

We operate in one business segment, the production of starches and sweeteners for a wide range of industries, and manage our business on a geographic regional basis.  Our business includes regional operations in North America,

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South America, Asia/Africa and Europe.  In 2010, approximately 56 percent of our net sales were derived from operations in North America, while net sales from operations in South America represented 28 percent.  Our Asia/Africa and Europe operations represented approximately 14 percent and 2 percent of our net sales, respectively.  See Note 14 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements entitled “Segment Information” for additional financial information with respect to geographic areas.

In general, demand for our products is balanced throughout the year.  However, demand for sweeteners in South America is greater in the first and fourth quarters (its summer season) while demand for sweeteners in North America is greater in the second and third quarters.  Due to the offsetting impact of these demand trends, we do not experience material seasonal fluctuations in our business.

Our North America region consists of operations in the US, Canada and Mexico. The region’s facilities include 13 plants producing a range of both sweeteners and starches. Our plant in Bedford Park, Illinois is a major supplier of starch and dextrose products for our US and export customers. Our plants in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and Stockton, California enjoy strong market shares in their local areas, as do our Canadian plants in Cardinal, London and Port Colborne, Ontario. Our Winston-Salem, Stockton, Port Colborne and London plants primarily produce high fructose corn syrup. Plants in Indianapolis; North Kansas City, Missouri; and Charleston, South Carolina manufacture specialty starches for North American and European customers. We also have a plant in Mapleton, Illinois which produces a wide range of polyols, including liquid and crystalline sorbitol. We are the largest producer of corn-based starches and sweeteners in Mexico, with plants in Guadalajara, Mexico City and San Juan del Rio.

We are the largest manufacturer of corn-based starches and sweeteners in South America, with strong market shares in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Peru. Our South America region includes 11 plants that produce regular, modified, waxy and tapioca starches, high fructose and high maltose corn syrups and corn syrup solids, dextrins and maltodextrins, dextrose, specialty starches, caramel color, sorbitol and vegetable adhesives.

Our Asia/Africa region manufactures corn- and tapioca-based products in South Korea, Pakistan, Thailand, Kenya, Australia and China.  The region’s facilities include 11 plants that produce modified, specialty, regular, waxy and tapioca starches, dextrins, glucose, dextrose, high fructose corn syrups and caramel color.

Our European region consists of specialty starch operations in England, Germany and South Africa.  The regions’ two facilities are in Hamburg, Germany and Goole, England.

In addition to the operations in which we engage directly, we have strategic alliances through technical license agreements with companies in South Africa and Venezuela. As a group, our strategic alliance partners produce high fructose, glucose and high maltose syrups (both corn and tapioca), regular, modified, waxy and tapioca starches, dextrose and dextrins, maltodextrins and caramel color. These products have leading positions in many of their target markets.

Competition

The starch and sweetener industry is highly competitive.  Many of our products are viewed as basic commodity ingredients that compete with virtually identical products and derivatives manufactured by other companies in the industry. The US is a highly competitive market where there are other corn refiners, several of which are divisions of larger enterprises.  Some of these competitors, unlike us, have vertically integrated their corn refining and other operations.  Competitors include ADM Corn Processing Division (“ADM”) (a division of Archer-Daniels-Midland Company), Cargill, Inc., Tate & Lyle Ingredients Americas, Inc., and several others. Our operations in Mexico and Canada face competition from US imports and local producers including ALMEX, a Mexican joint venture between ADM and Tate & Lyle Ingredients Americas, Inc.  In South America, Cargill has corn-refining operations in Brazil. Many smaller local corn and tapioca refiners also operate in many of our markets. Competition within our markets is largely based on price, quality and product availability.

Several of our products also compete with products made from raw materials other than corn. High fructose

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corn syrup and monohydrate dextrose compete principally with cane and beet sugar products. Co-products such as corn oil and gluten meal compete with products of the corn dry milling industry and with soybean oil, soybean meal and other products. Fluctuations in prices of these competing products may affect prices of, and profits derived from, our products.

Customers

We supply a broad range of customers in over 60 industries. Approximately 31 percent of our 2010 net sales were to companies engaged in the processed foods industry and approximately 14 percent of our 2010 net sales were to companies engaged in the soft drink industry.  Additionally, sales to the animal feed market and the brewing industry represented approximately 13 percent and 11 percent of our 2010 net sales, respectively.

Raw Materials

Corn is the basic raw material we use to produce starches and sweeteners.  The supply of corn in the United States has been, and is anticipated to continue to be, adequate for our domestic needs. The price of corn, which is determined by reference to prices on the Chicago Board of Trade, fluctuates as a result of various factors including: farmer planting decisions, climate, and government policies (including those related to the production of ethanol), livestock feeding, shortages or surpluses of world grain supplies, and domestic and foreign government policies and trade agreements.  The Company also uses tapioca, potato, rice and sugar as a raw material.

Corn is also grown in other areas of the world, including Canada, Mexico, Europe, South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, China, Pakistan and Kenya. Our affiliates outside the United States utilize both local supplies of corn and corn imported from other geographic areas, including the United States.  The supply of corn for these affiliates is also generally expected to be adequate for our needs.  Corn prices for our non-US affiliates generally fluctuate as a result of the same factors that affect US corn prices.

Due to the competitive nature of our industry and the availability of substitute products not produced from corn, such as sugar from cane or beets, end product prices may not necessarily fluctuate in a manner that correlates to raw material costs of corn.

We follow a policy of hedging our exposure to commodity fluctuations with commodities futures contracts for certain of our North American corn purchases. Our firm-priced business is hedged.  Other business may or may not be hedged at any given time based on management’s judgment as to the need to fix the costs of our raw materials to protect our profitability.  See Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk, in the section entitled “Commodity Costs” for additional information.

Research and Development

With the acquisition of National Starch, the Company has obtained a global research and development capability concentrated in Bridgewater, New Jersey.  Activities at Bridgewater include plant science and physical, chemical and biochemical modifications to food formulation, as well as development of non-food applications such as starch-based biopolymers. In addition, Corn Products has product application technology centers that direct our product development teams worldwide to create product application solutions to better serve the ingredient needs of our customers.  Product development activity is focused on developing product applications for identified customer and market needs. Through this approach, we have developed value-added products for use by customers in various industries. We usually collaborate with customers to develop the desired product application either in the customers’ facilities, our technical service laboratories or on a contract basis. These efforts are supported by our marketing, product technology and technology support staff.

Sales and Distribution

Our salaried sales personnel, who are generally dedicated to customers in a geographic region, sell our products

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directly to manufacturers and distributors. In addition, we have a staff that provides technical support to our sales personnel on an industry basis.  We generally contract with trucking companies to deliver our bulk products to customer destinations. In North America, we generally use trucks to ship to nearby customers. For those customers located considerable distances from our plants, we use either rail or a combination of railcars and trucks to deliver our product. We generally lease railcars for terms of five to fifteen years.

Patents, Trademarks and Technical License Agreements

We own a number of patents, including approximately 800 patents and patents pending through the acquisition of National Starch which relate to a variety of products and processes, and a number of established trademarks under which we market our products. We also have the right to use other patents and trademarks pursuant to patent and trademark licenses. We do not believe that any individual patent or trademark is material to our business. There is no currently pending challenge to the use or registration of any of our significant patents or trademarks that would have a material adverse impact on the Company or its results of operations if decided adversely to us.

We are a party to technical license agreements with third parties in South Africa and Venezuela whereby we provide technical, management and business advice on the operations of corn refining businesses and receive royalties in return.  These arrangements provide us with product penetration in these countries, as well as experience and relationships that could facilitate future expansion.  The duration of the agreements range from one to three years, and these agreements can be extended by mutual agreement.  These relationships have been in place for many years.  We receive approximately $2 million of annual income for services provided under these agreements.

Employees

As of December 31, 2010 we had approximately 10,700 employees, of which approximately 1,900 were located in the United States.  Approximately 39 percent of US and 54 percent of our non-US employees are unionized.  In addition, the Company has approximately 1,000 temporary employees.

Government Regulation and Environmental Matters

As a manufacturer and maker of food items and items for use in the pharmaceutical industry, our operations and the use of many of our products are subject to various US, state, foreign and local statutes and regulations, including the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and the Occupational Safety and Health Act.  We and many of our products are also subject to regulation by various government agencies, including the United States Food and Drug Administration.   Among other things, applicable regulations prescribe requirements and establish standards for product quality, purity and labeling.  Failure to comply with one or more regulatory requirements can result in a variety of sanctions, including monetary fines. No such fines of a material nature were imposed on us in 2010.  We may also be required to comply with US, state, foreign and local laws regulating food handling and storage.  We believe these laws and regulations have not negatively affected our competitive position.

Our operations are also subject to various US, state, foreign and local laws and regulations with respect to environmental matters, including air and water quality and underground fuel storage tanks, and other regulations intended to protect public health and the environment.  The Company operates industrial boilers that fire natural gas, coal, or biofuels to operate its manufacturing facilities and are its primary source of greenhouse gas emissions.  Based on current laws and regulations and the enforcement and interpretations thereof, we do not expect that the costs of future environmental compliance will be a material expense, although there can be no assurance that we will remain in compliance or that the costs of remaining in compliance will not have a material adverse effect on our future financial condition and results of operations.

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During 2010 we spent approximately $6 million for environmental control and wastewater treatment equipment to be incorporated into existing facilities and in planned construction projects.  We currently anticipate that we will spend approximately $4 million for environmental facilities and programs in 2011 and a similar amount in 2012.

Other

Our Internet address is www.cornproducts.com.  We make available, free of charge through our Internet website, our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  These reports are made available as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Our corporate governance guidelines, Board committee charters and code of ethics are posted on our website, the address of which is www.cornproducts.com, and each is available in print to any shareholder upon request in writing to Corn Products International, Inc., 5 Westbrook Corporate Center, Westchester, Illinois 60154 Attention: Corporate Secretary.  The contents of our website are not incorporated by reference into this report.

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Executive Officers of the Registrant

Set forth below are the names and ages of all of our executive officers, indicating their positions and offices with the Company and other business experience during the past five years.  Our executive officers are elected annually by the Board to serve until the next annual election of officers and until their respective successors have been elected and have qualified unless removed by the Board.

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ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS

Our business and assets are subject to varying degrees of risk and uncertainty. The following are factors that we believe could cause our actual results to differ materially from expected and historical results. Additional risks that are currently unknown to us may also impair our business or adversely affect our financial condition or results of operations. In addition, forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws that are contained in this Form 10-K or in our other filings or statements may be subject to the risks described below as well as other risks and uncertainties. Please read the cautionary notice regarding forward-looking statements in Item 7 below.

Current economic conditions may adversely impact demand for our products, reduce access to credit and cause our customers and others with which we do business to suffer financial hardship, all of which could adversely impact our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Economic conditions are weak in the US and many other countries and regions in which we do business, and may remain challenging for the foreseeable future.  General business and economic conditions that could affect us include short-term and long-term interest rates, unemployment, inflation, fluctuations in debt markets and the strength of the US economy and the local economies in which we operate.  While currently these conditions have not impaired our ability to access credit markets and finance our operations, there can be no assurance that there will not be a further deterioration in the financial markets.

There could be a number of other effects from these economic developments on our business, including reduced consumer demand for products; insolvency of our customers, resulting in increased provisions for credit losses; decreased customer demand, including order delays or cancellations and counterparty failures negatively impacting our operations.

In connection with our defined benefit pension plans, adverse changes in investment returns earned on pension assets and discount rates used to calculate pension and related liabilities or changes in required pension funding levels may have an unfavorable impact on future pension expense and cash flow.

In addition, the currently weak worldwide economic conditions and market instability make it increasingly difficult for us, our customers and our suppliers to accurately forecast future product demand trends, which could cause us to produce excess products that can increase our inventory carrying costs.  Alternatively, this forecasting difficulty could cause a shortage of products that could result in an inability to satisfy demand for our products.

We operate a multinational business subject to the economic, political and other risks inherent in operating in foreign countries and with foreign currencies.

We have operated in foreign countries and with foreign currencies for many years.  Our results are subject to foreign currency exchange fluctuations.  Our operations are subject to political, economic and other risks.  There has been and continues to be significant political uncertainty in some countries in which we operate.  Economic changes, terrorist activity and political unrest may result in business interruption or decreased demand for our products.  Protectionist trade measures and import and export licensing requirements could also adversely affect our results of operations.  Our success will depend in part on our ability to manage continued global political and/or economic uncertainty.

We primarily sell world commodities.  Historically, local prices have adjusted relatively quickly to offset the effect of local currency devaluations, but there can be no assurance that this will continue to be the case.  We may hedge transactions that are denominated in a currency other than the currency of the operating unit entering into the underlying transaction.  We are subject to the risks normally attendant to such hedging activities.

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Raw material and energy price fluctuations, and supply interruptions and shortages could adversely affect our results of operations.

Our finished products are made primarily from corn. Purchased corn accounts for between 40 percent and 65 percent of finished product costs.  Energy costs represent approximately 12 percent of our finished product costs. We use energy primarily to create steam in our production process and to dry product. We consume coal, natural gas, electricity, wood and fuel oil to generate energy.  The market prices for these commodities may vary considerably depending on supply and demand, world economies and other factors.  We purchase these commodities based on our anticipated usage and future outlook for these costs.  We cannot assure that we will be able to purchase these commodities at prices that we can adequately pass on to customers to sustain or increase profitability.

In North America, we sell a large portion of our finished products at firm prices established in supply contracts typically lasting for periods of up to one year.  In order to minimize the effect of volatility in the cost of corn related to these firm-priced supply contracts, we enter into corn futures contracts, or take other hedging positions in the corn futures market.  We are unable to hedge price risk related to co-product sales.  These derivative contracts typically mature within one year.  At expiration, we settle the derivative contracts at a net amount equal to the difference between the then-current price of corn and the futures contract price.  These hedging instruments are subject to fluctuations in value; however, changes in the value of the underlying exposures we are hedging generally offset such fluctuations.  The fluctuations in the fair value of these hedging instruments may affect the cash flow of the Company.  We fund any unrealized losses or receive cash for any unrealized gains on a daily basis.  While the corn futures contracts or hedging positions are intended to minimize the effect of volatility of corn costs on operating profits, the hedging activity can result in losses, some of which may be material.  Outside of North America, sales of finished products under long-term, firm-priced supply contracts are not material.  We also use derivative financial instruments to hedge portions of our natural gas costs, primarily in our North American operations.

Due to market volatility, we cannot assure that we can adequately pass potential increases in the cost of corn on to customers through product price increases or purchase quantities of corn at prices sufficient to sustain or increase our profitability.

Our corn purchasing costs, which include the price of the corn plus delivery cost, account for 40 percent to 65 percent of our product costs.  The price and availability of corn is influenced by economic and industry conditions, including supply and demand factors such as crop disease and severe weather conditions such as drought, floods or frost that are difficult to anticipate and which we cannot control.  There is also a demand for corn in the US to produce ethanol which has been significantly impacted by US governmental policies designed to encourage the production of ethanol.  In addition, government programs supporting sugar prices indirectly impact the price of corn sweeteners, especially high fructose corn syrup.

Our profitability may be affected by other factors beyond our control.

Our operating income and ability to increase profitability depend to a large extent upon our ability to price finished products at a level that will cover manufacturing and raw material costs and provide an acceptable profit margin. Our ability to maintain appropriate price levels is determined by a number of factors largely beyond our control, such as aggregate industry supply and market demand, which may vary from time to time, and the economic conditions of the geographic regions where we conduct our operations.

We operate in a highly competitive environment and it may be difficult to preserve operating margins and maintain market share.

We operate in a highly competitive environment. Many of our products compete with virtually identical or similar products manufactured by other companies in the starch and sweetener industry. In the United States, there are competitors, several of which are divisions of larger enterprises that have greater financial resources than we do. Some of these competitors, unlike us, have vertically integrated their corn refining and other operations. Many of our

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products also compete with products made from raw materials other than corn. Fluctuation in prices of these competing products may affect prices of, and profits derived from, our products. Competition in markets in which we compete is largely based on price, quality and product availability.

Changes in consumer preferences and perceptions may lessen the demand for our products, which could reduce our sales and profitability and harm our business.

Food products are often affected by changes in consumer tastes, national, regional and local economic conditions and demographic trends. For instance, changes in prevailing health or dietary preferences causing consumers to avoid food products containing sweetener products in favor of foods that are perceived as being more healthy, could reduce our sales and profitability, and such a reduction could be material. Increasing concern among consumers, public health professionals and government agencies about the potential health concerns associated with obesity and inactive lifestyles represent a significant challenge to some of our customers, including those engaged in the soft drink industry.

The uncertainty of acceptance of products developed through biotechnology could affect our profitability.

The commercial success of agricultural products developed through biotechnology, including genetically modified corn, depends in part on public acceptance of their development, cultivation, distribution and consumption. Public attitudes can be influenced by claims that genetically modified products are unsafe for consumption or that they pose unknown risks to the environment even if such claims are not based on scientific studies. These public attitudes can influence regulatory and legislative decisions about biotechnology even where they are approved. The sale of the Company’s products which may contain genetically modified corn could be delayed or impaired because of adverse public perception regarding the safety of the Company’s products and the potential effects of these products on animals, human health and the environment.

Our profitability could be negatively impacted if we fail to maintain satisfactory labor relations.

Approximately 39 percent of our US and 54 percent of our non-US employees are members of unions.  Strikes, lockouts or other work stoppages or slow downs involving our unionized employees could have a material adverse effect on us.

Our reliance on certain industries for a significant portion of our sales could have a material adverse affect on our business.

Approximately 31 percent of our 2010 sales were made to companies engaged in the processed foods industry and approximately 14 percent were made to companies in the soft drink industry.  Additionally, sales to the animal feed market and the brewing industry represented approximately 13 percent and 11 percent of our 2010 net sales, respectively.  If our processed foods customers, soft drink customers, brewing industry customers or animal feed customers were to substantially decrease their purchases, our business might be materially adversely affected.

An outbreak of a life threatening communicable disease could negatively impact our business.

If the economies of any countries where we sell or manufacture products are affected by an outbreak of a life threatening communicable diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (“SARS”) or the Avian Flu, it could result in decreased sales and unfavorably impact our business.

Government policies and regulations in general, and specifically affecting agriculture-related businesses, could adversely affect our operating results.

Our operating results could be affected by changes in trade, monetary and fiscal policies, laws and regulations, and other activities of United States and foreign governments, agencies, and similar organizations. These conditions include but are not limited to changes in a country’s or region’s economic or political conditions, trade regulations affecting production, pricing and marketing of products, local labor conditions and regulations, reduced protection of

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intellectual property rights, changes in the regulatory or legal environment, restrictions on currency exchange activities, currency exchange fluctuations, burdensome taxes and tariffs, and other trade barriers. International risks and uncertainties, including changing social and economic conditions as well as terrorism, political hostilities, and war, could limit our ability to transact business in these markets and could adversely affect our revenues and operating results.

Due to cross-border disputes, our operations could be adversely affected by actions taken by the governments of countries where we conduct business.

The recognition of impairment charges on goodwill or long-lived assets could adversely impact our future financial position and results of operations.

In 2010, we recorded a $24 million write-off for impairment and restructuring charges for the closure of our Chilean manufacturing plant.  In 2009, we recorded a write-off of $119 million of goodwill pertaining to our operation in South Korea.  See Note 4 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-K for additional information regarding these write-offs.

We perform an annual impairment assessment for goodwill and, as necessary, for long-lived assets.  If the results of such assessments were to show that the fair value of our property, plant and equipment or goodwill were less than the carrying values, we could be required to recognize a charge for impairment of goodwill and/or long-lived assets and the amount of the impairment charge could be material.  Our annual impairment assessment as of September 30, 2010 did not result in any additional impairment charges for the year.

Even though it was determined that there was no additional long-lived asset impairment as of September 30, 2010, the future occurrence of a potential indicator of impairment, such as a significant adverse change in the business climate that would require a change in our assumptions or strategic decisions made in response to economic or competitive conditions, could require us to perform an assessment prior to the next required assessment date of September 30, 2011.

Changes in our tax rates or exposure to additional income tax liabilities could impact our profitability.

We are subject to income taxes in the United States and in various other foreign jurisdictions.  Our effective tax rates could be adversely affected by changes in the mix of earnings by jurisdiction, changes in tax laws or tax rates, changes in the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities, and material adjustments from tax audits.

In particular, the carrying value of deferred tax assets, which are predominantly in the US, is dependent upon our ability to generate future taxable income in the US.  In addition, the amount of income taxes we pay is subject to ongoing audits in various jurisdictions and a material assessment by a governing tax authority could affect our profitability.

Operating difficulties at our manufacturing plants could adversely affect our operating results.

Producing starches and sweeteners through corn refining is a capital intensive industry. We have 37 plants and have preventive maintenance and de-bottlenecking programs designed to maintain and improve grind capacity and facility reliability. If we encounter operating difficulties at a plant for an extended period of time or start up problems with any capital improvement projects, we may not be able to meet a portion of sales order commitments and could incur significantly higher operating expenses, both of which could adversely affect our operating results.  We also use boilers to generate steam required in our manufacturing processes. An event that impaired the operation of a boiler for an extended period of time could have a significant adverse effect on the operations of any plant where such event occurred.

We may not have access to the funds required for future growth and expansion.

We may need additional funds for working capital to grow and expand our operations. We expect to fund our capital expenditures from operating cash flow to the extent we are able to do so. If our operating cash flow is insufficient

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to fund our capital expenditures, we may either reduce our capital expenditures or utilize our general credit facilities. We may also seek to generate additional liquidity through the sale of debt or equity securities in private or public markets or through the sale of non-productive assets. We cannot provide any assurance that our cash flows from operations will be sufficient to fund anticipated capital expenditures or that we will be able to obtain additional funds from financial markets or from the sale of assets at terms favorable to us. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flows or raise sufficient additional funds to cover our capital expenditures, we may not be able to achieve our desired operating efficiencies and expansion plans, which may adversely impact our competitiveness and, therefore, our results of operations.

Increased interest rates could increase our borrowing costs.

From time to time we may issue securities to finance acquisitions, capital expenditures, working capital and for other general corporate purposes. An increase in interest rates in the general economy could result in an increase in our borrowing costs for these financings, as well as under any existing debt that bears interest at an unhedged floating rate.

We may not successfully identify and complete acquisitions or strategic alliances on favorable terms or achieve anticipated synergies relating to any acquisitions or alliances, and such acquisitions could result in unforeseen operating difficulties and expenditures and require significant management resources.

We regularly review potential acquisitions of complementary businesses, technologies, services or products, as well as potential strategic alliances. We may be unable to find suitable acquisition candidates or appropriate partners with which to form partnerships or strategic alliances. Even if we identify appropriate acquisition or alliance candidates, we may be unable to complete such acquisitions or alliances on favorable terms, if at all. In addition, the process of integrating an acquired business, including National Starch, technology, service or product into our existing business and operations may result in unforeseen operating difficulties and expenditures. Integration of an acquired company also may require significant management resources that otherwise would be available for ongoing development of our business. Moreover, we may not realize the anticipated benefits of any acquisition, including National Starch, or strategic alliance, and such transactions may not generate anticipated financial results. Future acquisitions could also require us to issue equity securities, incur debt, assume contingent liabilities or amortize expenses related to intangible assets, any of which could harm our business.

Our inability to contain costs could adversely affect our future profitability and growth.

Our future profitability and growth depends on our ability to contain operating costs and per-unit product costs and to maintain and/or implement effective cost control programs, while at the same time maintaining competitive pricing and superior quality products, customer service and support. Our ability to maintain a competitive cost structure depends on continued containment of manufacturing, delivery and administrative costs, as well as the implementation of cost-effective purchasing programs for raw materials, energy and related manufacturing requirements.

If we are unable to contain our operating costs and maintain the productivity and reliability of our production facilities, our profitability and growth could be adversely affected.

Volatility in the stock market, fluctuations in quarterly operating results and other factors could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

The market price for our common stock may be significantly affected by factors such as our announcement of new products or services or such announcements by our competitors; technological innovation by us, our competitors or other vendors; quarterly variations in our operating results or the operating results of our competitors; general conditions in our or our customers’ markets; and changes in the earnings estimates by analysts or reported results that vary materially from such estimates. In addition, the stock market has experienced significant price fluctuations that have affected the market prices of equity securities of many companies that have been unrelated to the operating performance of any individual company.

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No assurance can be given that we will continue to pay dividends.

The payment of dividends is at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will be subject to our financial results and the availability of surplus funds to pay dividends.

ITEM 1B.  UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.

None

ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES

We operate, directly and through our consolidated subsidiaries, 37 manufacturing facilities, all of which are owned. In addition, we lease our corporate headquarters in Westchester, Illinois and our National Starch facility in Bridgewater, New Jersey. The following list details the locations of our manufacturing facilities within each of our three geographic regions:

We believe our manufacturing facilities are sufficient to meet our current production needs. We have preventive maintenance and de-bottlenecking programs designed to further improve grind capacity and facility reliability.

We have electricity co-generation facilities at all of our US and Canadian plants with the exception of Indianapolis, North Kansas City, Charleston and Mapleton, as well as at our plants in San Juan del Rio, Mexico; Baradero, Argentina; and Balsa Nova and Mogi-Guacu, Brazil, that provide electricity at a lower cost than is available from third parties. We generally own and operate these co-generation facilities, except for the facilities at our Stockton, California; Cardinal, Ontario; and Balsa Nova and Mogi-Guacu, Brazil locations, which are owned by, and operated pursuant to co-generation agreements with, third parties.

In recent years, we have made significant capital expenditures to update, expand and improve our facilities, spending $159 million in 2010.  We believe these capital expenditures will allow us to operate efficient facilities for the foreseeable future.   We currently anticipate that capital expenditures for 2011 will approximate $280 million to $300 million.

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ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

On October 21, 2003, we submitted, on our own behalf and on behalf of our Mexican affiliate, CPIngredientes, S.A. de C.V., (previously known as Compania Proveedora de Ingredientes) a Request for Institution of Arbitration Proceedings Submitted Pursuant to Chapter 11 of the North American Free Trade Agreement (“NAFTA”) (the “Request”). The Request was submitted to the Additional Office of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes and was brought against the United Mexican States. In the Request, we asserted that the imposition by Mexico of a discriminatory tax on beverages containing HFCS in force from 2002 through 2006 breached various obligations of Mexico under NAFTA.  The case was bifurcated into two phases, liability and damages, and a hearing on liability was held before a Tribunal in July 2006.  In a Decision dated January 15, 2008, the Tribunal issued an order holding that Mexico had violated NAFTA Article 1102, National Treatment. In July 2008, a hearing regarding the quantum of damages was held before the same Tribunal.  We sought damages and pre- and post-judgment interest totaling $288 million through December 31, 2008.  In an award rendered August 18, 2009, the Tribunal awarded damages to the Company in the amount of $58.4 million, as a result of the tax and certain out-of-pocket expenses incurred by CPIngredientes, together with accrued interest (the “Award”). On October 1, 2009, we submitted to the Tribunal a request for correction of the Award to avoid effective double taxation on the amount of the Award in Mexico. On January 24 and 25, 2011, we received cash payments totaling $58.4 million from the Government of the United Mexican States pursuant to an award rendered in our favor by the Tribunal in 2009 (and corrected in 2010).  Mexico made this payment pursuant to an agreement with Corn Products International that provides for terminating pending post-award litigation and waiving post-award interest.  The $58.4 million award will be recorded in the Company’s first quarter 2011 consolidated financial statements.

See also Note 13 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

We are currently subject to various other claims and suits arising in the ordinary course of business, including certain environmental proceedings.  We do not believe that the results of such legal proceedings, even if unfavorable to us, will be material to us.  There can be no assurance, however, that such claims or suits or those arising in the future, whether taken individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

There were no matters submitted to a vote of our security holders, through the solicitation of proxies or otherwise, during the quarter ended December 31, 2010.

PART II

Shares of our common stock are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the ticker symbol “CPO.”  The number of holders of record of our common stock was 6,600 at January 31, 2010.

We have a history of paying quarterly dividends.  The amount and timing of the dividend payment, if any, is based on a number of factors including estimated earnings, financial position and cash flow.  The payment of a dividend is solely at the discretion of our Board of Directors.  Future dividend payments will be subject to our financial results and the availability of surplus funds to pay dividends.

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The quarterly high and low sales prices for our common stock and cash dividends declared per common share for 2009 and 2010 are shown below.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities:

The following table summarizes information with respect to our purchases of our common stock during the fourth quarter of 2010.

On November 17, 2010, our Board of Directors authorized an extension of our stock repurchase program permitting us to purchase up to 5 million shares of our outstanding common stock through November 30, 2015.  The stock repurchase program was authorized by the Board of Directors on November 7, 2007 and would have expired on November 30, 2010.  As of December 31, 2010, we had 4.7 million shares available for repurchase under this program.

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ITEM 6.                              SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

Selected financial data is provided below.

(a)   Includes National Starch from October 1, 2010 forward.

(b)   Includes $14 million of after-tax charges for bridge loan and other financing costs ($0.18 per diluted common share), after-tax acquisition-related costs of $26 million ($0.34 per diluted common share,) after-tax charges of $22 million ($0.29 per diluted common share) for impaired assets and other costs primarily associated with our operations in Chile and after-tax charges of $18 million ($0.23 per diluted common share) relating to the sale of National Starch inventory that was adjusted to fair value at the acquisition date in accordance with business combination accounting rules. See Notes 3, 4 and 6 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information.

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(c)  Includes after-tax charges for impaired assets and restructuring costs of $110 million, or $1.47 per diluted common share.   See Note 4 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information.

(d)   Includes non-controlling interests.

OVERVIEW

On October 1, 2010, we completed our acquisition of National Starch, a global provider of specialty starches, from Akzo Nobel N.V., a global coatings and specialty chemicals company, headquartered in The Netherlands.  We acquired 100 percent of National Starch through asset purchases in certain countries and stock purchases in certain countries.  The purchase price was $1.354 billion in cash, subject to certain post-closing adjustments.  The funding of the purchase price was provided principally from borrowings.  The results of National Starch are included in our consolidated financial results from October 1, 2010 forward.

The acquisition positions us with a broader portfolio of products, enhanced geographic reach, and the ability to offer customers a broad range of value-added ingredient solutions for a variety of their evolving needs.   National Starch had sales of $1.2 billion in 2009 and provides us with, among other things, 11 additional manufacturing facilities in 8 countries, across 5 continents.  The acquisition also provides additional sales and technical offices around the world.  With the acquisition, we now employ approximately 10,700 people in North America, South America, Asia/Africa and Europe.  We operate 37 manufacturing facilities in 15 countries; have sales offices in 29 countries, and have research and ingredient development centers in key global markets.

See Note 3 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements for additional information related to the acquisition.

We are one of the world’s largest corn refiners and a major supplier of high-quality food ingredients, industrial products and specialty starches derived from the wet milling and processing of corn and other starch-based materials.  The corn refining industry is highly competitive.  Many of our products are viewed as commodities that compete with virtually identical products manufactured by other companies in the industry.  As noted above, we have 37 manufacturing plants located throughout North America, South America, Asia/Africa and Europe, and we manage and operate our businesses at a local level.  We believe this approach provides us with a unique understanding of the cultures and product requirements in each of the geographic markets in which we operate, bringing added value to our customers.  Our sweeteners are found in products such as baked goods, candies, chewing gum, dairy products and ice cream, soft drinks and beer.  Our starches are a staple of the food, paper, textile and corrugating industries.

Critical success factors in our business include managing our significant manufacturing costs, including corn and utilities.  In addition, due to our global operations we are exposed to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.  We use derivative financial instruments, when appropriate, for the purpose of minimizing the risks and/or costs associated with fluctuations in commodity prices, foreign exchange rates and interest rates.  Also, the capital intensive nature of the corn wet milling industry requires that we generate significant cash flow on a yearly basis in order to selectively reinvest in the business and grow organically, as well as through strategic acquisitions and alliances.  We utilize certain key metrics relating to working capital, debt and return on capital employed to monitor our progress toward achieving our strategic business objectives (see section entitled “Key Performance Metrics”).

Our business improved in 2010 as net sales, operating income, net income and diluted earnings per common share grew from the year ago period.  Organic volume growth, lower corn costs, improved plant utilization rates and the impact of

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owning National Starch in the fourth quarter drove the earnings improvement.  Additionally, we enhanced our financial flexibility in 2010 by entering into a new $1 billion revolving credit facility.  We continue to see economic recovery in many of our international markets and expect our business to grow in 2011.

We currently expect that our future operating cash flows and borrowing availability under our credit facilities will provide us with sufficient liquidity to fund our anticipated capital expenditures, dividends, and other investing and/or financing strategies for the foreseeable future.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

We have significant operations in North America, South America, Asia/Africa and Europe.  For most of our foreign subsidiaries, the local foreign currency is the functional currency.  Accordingly, revenues and expenses denominated in the functional currencies of these subsidiaries are translated into US dollars at the applicable average exchange rates for the period.  Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates affect the US dollar amounts of our foreign subsidiaries’ revenues and expenses.  The impact of currency exchange rate changes, where significant, is described below.

As a result of the acquisition of National Starch, there are significant fluctuations in our financial statements as compared to 2009.  While we will identify significant fluctuations due to the acquisition, our discussion below will also exclude the impact of the acquisition, where appropriate, to provide a more comparable and meaningful analysis.  Additionally, we have added a new region for our acquired operations in Europe.  See also Note 14 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

2010 Compared to 2009

Net Income attributable to CPI.  Net income attributable to CPI for 2010 more than quadrupled to $169 million, or $2.20 per diluted common share, from 2009 net income of $41 million, or $0.54 per diluted common share.   Our results for 2010 include $14 million of after-tax charges for bridge loan and other financing costs ($0.18 per diluted common share), after-tax acquisition-related costs of $26 million ($0.34 per diluted common share), after-tax costs of $18 million ($0.23 per diluted common share) relating to the sale of National Starch inventory that was adjusted to fair value at the acquisition date in accordance with business combination accounting rules, and after-tax restructuring charges of $22 million ($0.29 per diluted common share) for impaired assets and other costs primarily associated with the closing of our plant in Chile.  Our 2009 results include an after-tax charge of $110 million ($1.47 per diluted common share) for impaired assets and restructuring costs.  See also Note 4 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements for additional information pertaining to the asset impairments and restructurings.

Without the bridge loan and other financing costs, and the impairment, restructuring and acquisition-related charges, net income for 2010 would have grown 65 percent over 2009, while our diluted earnings per common share would have risen 61 percent.  This net income growth primarily reflects an increase in operating income across all of our regions principally driven by organic sales volume growth, improved plant utilization rates, lower corn costs, stronger foreign currencies and the earnings from the acquired National Starch operations.

Net Sales.  Net sales for 2010 increased to $4.37 billion from $3.67 billion in 2009, as sales grew in each of our regions.

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A summary of net sales by geographic region is shown below:

The increase in net sales reflects a 21 percent volume improvement and favorable currency translation of 4 percent due to stronger foreign currencies, which more than offset a price/product mix decline of 6 percent primarily reflecting the normal relationship between lower corn costs and a corresponding decline in selling prices.  Net sales from the acquired National Starch operations totaled $351 million, representing approximately 10 percent of our 19 percent sales increase.  Additionally, we had strong organic volume growth across all of our regions and particularly in our international businesses.  Co-product sales of approximately $781 million for 2010 increased 16 percent from $673 million in 2009, as improved volume and currency translation more than offset lower selling prices.  Co-product sales from acquired operations contributed approximately $22 million, or 3 percent, of the increase.

Sales in North America increased 8 percent driven by sales contributed by the acquired National Starch operations.  Excluding the acquired operations, net sales in North America were flat as a 10 percent volume improvement and a 2 percent increase attributable to currency translation was offset by a price/product mix decline of 12 percent.  Volumes grew across the region, led by strong organic growth in Mexico where demand for sweeteners from the beverage industry was particularly strong.  Improved demand in Canada and the US also contributed to the organic volume growth in the region.  Sales in South America increased 23 percent, as volume growth of 14 percent driven by strong demand from various industries and favorable currency translation of 10 percent more than offset a price/product mix decline of 1 percent.  Sales from acquired operations contributed 2 percent of the sales growth in the region.  Sales in Asia/Africa increased 58 percent, driven in part by sales contributed by acquired operations.  Excluding the acquired operations, Asia/Africa net sales increased 34 percent, reflecting volume growth of 20 percent, primarily driven by significantly higher demand for sweeteners in South Korea, price/product mix improvement of 9 percent and a 5 percent benefit from currency translation associated with stronger Asian currencies.  Europe sales reflect sales from our European operations that were acquired as part of the National Starch acquisition.

Cost of Sales.  Cost of sales for 2010 increased 16 percent to $3.64 billion from $3.15 billion in 2009.  More than half of this increase reflects costs associated with sales of National Starch products in the fourth quarter of 2010.  The remainder of the increase was driven principally by volume growth and currency translation, which more than offset lower corn costs.  Currency translation caused cost of sales for 2010 to increase approximately 5 percent from 2009, reflecting the impact of stronger foreign currencies.  Gross corn costs per ton for 2010 declined approximately 11 percent from 2009 driven by lower market prices for corn.  Energy costs for 2010 increased approximately 14 percent from the prior year principally due to increased volume and stronger foreign currencies.  Our gross profit margin for 2010 was 17 percent, compared to 14 percent in 2009, reflecting improved profit margins throughout our business.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses.  Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses for 2010 were $370 million, up from $247 million in 2009.  This increase primarily reflects SG&A expenses of the acquired National Starch operations and $35 million of costs pertaining to the acquisition of National Starch.  Higher compensation-related costs, a return to more historical run rates and stronger foreign currencies also contributed to the increase in SG&A expenses.   Currency translation caused operating expenses for 2010 to increase approximately 4 percent from a year ago, reflecting the impact of stronger foreign currencies.  SG&A expenses for 2010 represented 8 percent of net sales, up from 7 percent in 2009.

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Other Income-net.  Other income-net of $10 million for 2010 increased from other income-net of $5 million in 2009.  This increase primarily reflects higher tax recoveries and a $2 million gain associated with a customer bankruptcy settlement.

Operating Income.  A summary of operating income is shown below:

Operating income for 2010 increased to $339 million from $153 million in 2009.  Operating income for 2010 and 2009 include impairment/restructuring charges of $25 million and $125 million, respectively.  We also incurred $35 million of acquisition-related costs in 2010.  Additionally, our current year results include the flow through of $27 million of costs associated with acquired National Starch inventory that was marked up to fair value at the acquisition date in accordance with business combination accounting rules.  Without the impairment, restructuring, inventory mark-up charge and acquisition-related costs, operating income for 2010 would have grown 53 percent over the year ago period.   Approximately 15 percent of this growth was attributable to earnings from the acquired National Starch operations.  The remaining increase of 38 percent reflects organic earnings growth in each of our regions principally driven by higher volume, lower corn costs, improved plant utilization rates and favorable currency translation.    Currency translation associated with stronger foreign currencies caused operating income to increase by approximately $20 million from 2009.  North America operating income increased 41 percent to $249 million from $177 million a year ago.  Approximately one-third of this growth was attributable to earnings from acquired operations.  The remaining increase was primarily driven by organic volume growth, lower corn costs and improved plant utilization rates.  Currency translation associated with the stronger Canadian dollar caused operating income to increase by approximately $8 million in the region.  South America operating income increased 18 percent to $163 million from $138 million in 2009.  This increase primarily reflects improved earnings in the Southern Cone of South America and Brazil driven by strong volume growth and favorable currency translation.  Translation effects associated with stronger South American currencies (particularly the Brazilian Real) caused operating income to increase by approximately $11 million in the region.  Asia/ Africa operating income more than tripled to $62 million from $17 million a year ago, due in part, to earnings from acquired operations.  Without the earnings from acquired operations, operating income almost tripled reflecting strong organic volume growth, particularly in South Korea and higher product selling prices.  Stronger foreign currencies caused operating income to increase by approximately $1 million in the region.  Europe operating income represents earnings from our operations that were acquired as part of the National Starch acquisition.

Financing Costs-net.  Financing costs-net increased to $64 million in 2010 from $38 million in 2009.  This increase primarily reflects a $20 million charge for bridge loan financing costs recorded in the third quarter of 2010.  In connection with the acquisition of National Starch we had obtained a bridge loan financing commitment of $1.35 billion.  As a result of our September 2010 sale of $900 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes and the entry into our new $1 billion revolving credit facility (see also Liquidity and Capital Resources section), we terminated the $1.35 billion bridge term loan facility.  Fees associated with the bridge loan totaling $20 million were expensed to financing costs in September 2010.  Without this charge, financing costs for 2010 would have increased approximately

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18 percent from the prior year period, primarily reflecting higher average borrowings due to the National Starch acquisition and higher interest rates, partially offset by a reduction in foreign currency transaction losses and an increase in interest income driven by higher cash positions.

Provision for Income Taxes.  Our effective income tax rate was 36.1 percent in 2010, as compared to 59.5 percent in 2009.  Our effective income tax rate for 2010 reflects the impacts of the National Starch acquisition costs and the Chilean charges for impaired assets and other related costs and an increase to the valuation allowance for Chile.  Our effective income tax rate for 2009 reflects the tax effect of the goodwill write-off and an increase to the valuation allowance in Korea.  Without the impact of the impairment and restructuring charges, our effective income tax rate for 2010 and 2009 would have been approximately 33 percent and 35 percent, respectively.   See also Note 8 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Net Income Attributable to Non-controlling Interests.  Net income attributable to non-controlling interests increased to $7 million in 2010 from $6 million in 2009.  The increase from 2009 mainly reflects the effect of improved earnings from our operations in Pakistan.

Comprehensive Income.  We recorded comprehensive income of $287 million, as compared with $327 million a year ago.  The decrease primarily reflects an unfavorable variance in the currency translation adjustment and reduced gains on cash flow hedges, which more than offset our net income growth.  The unfavorable variance in the currency translation adjustment reflects a more moderate strengthening in end of period foreign currencies relative to the US dollar, as compared to a year ago, when end of period foreign currency appreciation was more significant.

2009 Compared to 2008

Net Income attributable to CPI.  Net income attributable to CPI for 2009 decreased 85 percent to $41 million, or $0.54 per diluted common share, from 2008 net income of $267 million, or $3.52 per diluted common share.   Our results for 2009 include a $125 million charge ($110 million after-tax, or $1.47 per diluted common share) for impaired assets and restructuring costs that was recorded in the second quarter of 2009.  The charge consists of a $119 million write-off of goodwill pertaining to our operations in South Korea, a $5 million write-off of impaired assets in North America and a $1 million charge for employee severance and related benefit costs primarily attributable to the termination of employees in our Asia/Africa region.  See also Note 4 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements.  Our results for 2008 included $16 million of expenses ($11 million net of income taxes, or $0.14 per diluted common share) related to the terminated merger with Bunge Limited.

While the decrease in net income includes the impact of the impairment and restructuring charges, it also reflects a significant decline in operating income across all of our regions principally driven by reduced co-product selling prices, higher North American corn costs, foreign currency devaluations and lower sales volumes.  Increased financing costs also contributed to the decline.

Net Sales.  Net sales for 2009 decreased to $3.67 billion from $3.94 billion in 2008, as sales declined in each of our regions.

A summary of net sales by geographic region is shown below:

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The decrease in net sales reflects unfavorable currency translation of 5 percent attributable to weaker foreign currencies and a 2 percent volume decline due to reduced demand attributable to the global economic recession.  Price/product mix was relatively flat.  Co-product sales of approximately $673 million for 2009 decreased 23 percent from $871 million in 2008, driven primarily by lower pricing, and to a lesser extent, by reduced volume and foreign currency weakness.  We expect improved co-product sales in 2010 driven by higher market prices, particularly for corn oil.

Sales in North America decreased 4 percent primarily due to a 4 percent volume reduction principally driven by weak demand in the United States.  Price/product mix improvement of 1 percent was offset by a 1 percent decline attributable to currency translation relating to a weaker Canadian dollar.  Price/product mix improved despite the unfavorable impact of approximately $114 million from lower co-product selling prices.  Sales in South America decreased 10 percent, primarily due to unfavorable currency translation attributable to weaker South American currencies, which reduced sales by approximately 10 percent.  Improved volume of 3 percent, driven principally by increased shipments to the brewing industry, was offset by a price/product mix decline of 3 percent that was mainly due to lower co-product values.  Sales in Asia/Africa decreased 14 percent, reflecting an 11 percent decline attributable to currency translation associated with weaker Asian/African currencies and a 3 percent volume reduction due to lower demand.  Price/product mix was up slightly.

Cost of Sales.  Cost of sales for 2009 decreased 3 percent to $3.15 billion from $3.24 billion in 2008.  The decrease principally reflects reduced volume and currency translation.  Currency translation attributable to the stronger US dollar caused cost of sales for 2009 to decrease approximately 5 percent from 2008.  Gross corn costs for 2009 were relatively unchanged from 2008, as higher corn costs in North America were offset by reduced costs in South America and the impact of currency translation associated with weaker foreign currencies.  Energy costs for 2009 decreased approximately 1 percent from 2008.  Our gross profit margin for 2009 was 14 percent, compared to 18 percent in 2008, principally reflecting reduced profitability and margins throughout our business.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses.  SG&A expenses for 2009 were $247 million, down from $275 million in 2008.  This decrease primarily reflects weaker foreign currencies and reduced compensation-related costs.  Currency translation caused operating expenses for 2009 to decrease approximately 4 percent from 2008, reflecting the weaker foreign currencies.  Additionally, bad debt expense decreased $4 million from 2008.  Our bad debt expense was higher than normal in 2008 due to the global economic crisis.  We may be required to provide for additional credit losses in the future should the global economy deteriorate in the future.  SG&A expenses for 2009 represented 7 percent of net sales, consistent with 2008.

Other Income-net.  Other income-net of $5 million for 2009 increased slightly from other income-net of $4 million in 2008.  Other income for 2009 includes various insurance and tax recoveries approximating $2 million and a $2 million gain from the sale of land.  Other income for 2008 includes $16 million of costs pertaining to the terminated Bunge merger.  Other income for 2008 also includes various insurance and tax recoveries approximating $8 million and a $5 million gain from the sale of land.  Fee and royalty income of $1 million for 2009 declined $1 million from 2008.

Operating Income.  A summary of operating income is shown below:

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Operating income for 2009 decreased to $153 million from $434 million in 2008.  This decrease partially reflects the impact of the $125 million impairment and restructuring charge that we recorded in the second quarter of 2009.  The 2008 results include $16 million of expenses related to the terminated merger with Bunge.  Without the impairment and restructuring charge for 2009 and the Bunge expenses for 2008, operating income would have declined 38 percent to $278 million in 2009 from $450 million in 2008, as earnings declined across all of our regions.  Currency translation caused operating income to decline by approximately $25 million from 2008, reflecting weaker foreign currencies.  North America operating income decreased 44 percent to $177 million from $313 million in 2008, as earnings declined throughout the region.  The decline primarily reflects lower co-product pricing, higher corn costs and reduced sales volumes attributable to the weak economy.  Currency translation attributable to the weaker Canadian dollar caused operating income to decline by approximately $5 million in the region.  South America operating income decreased 9 percent to $138 million from $151 million in 2008, as translation effects associated with weaker South American currencies caused operating income to decline by approximately $16 million in the region.  Reduced product selling prices, particularly for co-products, also contributed to the earnings decline in the region.  Lower corn costs partially offset the unfavorable translation impact of the weaker South American currencies and decreased product selling prices in the region.  Asia /Africa operating income decreased 56 percent to $17 million from $38 million in 2008, as earnings declined throughout the region and most significantly in South Korea and Pakistan.  These earnings declines primarily reflect reduced sales volume attributable to the difficult economy and a government power rationing program in Pakistan, higher corn costs and weaker foreign currencies.   Currency translation attributable to weaker foreign currencies reduced operating income by approximately $4 million in the region.

Financing Costs-net.  Financing costs-net increased to $38 million in 2009 from $29 million in 2008.  The increase mainly reflects foreign currency transaction losses and a reduction in interest income, which more than offset a decrease in interest expense driven by lower interest rates.  Capitalized interest for 2009 was $7 million, as compared to $8 million in 2008.

Provision for Income Taxes.  Our effective income tax rate was 59.5 percent in 2009, as compared to 32.0 percent in 2008.  The increase primarily reflects the tax effect of our goodwill write-off and an increase to our valuation allowance in Korea in the second quarter of 2009.  Without the impact of the impairment and restructuring charges, our effective income tax rate for 2009 would have been approximately 35 percent.   See also Note 8 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Net Income Attributable to Non-controlling Interests.  Net income attributable to non-controlling interests decreased to $6 million in 2009 from $8 million in 2008.  The decrease from 2008 mainly reflects the effect of lower earnings in Pakistan and China.

Comprehensive Income (Loss).  We recorded comprehensive income of $327 million, as compared with a comprehensive loss of $212 million in 2008.  The increase primarily reflects the effects of our corn and gas hedging contracts and favorable variances in the currency translation adjustment, which more than offset our lower net income.  The favorable variances in the currency translation adjustment reflect a strengthening in end of period 2009 foreign currencies relative to the US dollar, as compared to 2008 when end of period foreign currencies had weakened. Stronger end of period currencies in Brazil, Canada, Colombia and South Korea accounted for most of the favorable translation variance.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

At December 31, 2010, our total assets were $5.07 billion, up from $2.95 billion at December 31, 2009.  This increase primarily reflects the National Starch acquisition.  Unrealized gains on commodity hedging contracts, higher trade receivables driven by sales growth, increased inventories and translation effects associated with stronger end of period foreign currencies relative to the US dollar also contributed to the increase in total assets.   Total equity increased to $2.00 billion at December 31, 2010 from $1.70 billion at December 31, 2009, primarily reflecting our net income for

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2010 and a decrease in the accumulated other comprehensive loss due to favorable foreign currency translation and deferred gains on our commodity hedging contracts.

On September 2, 2010, we entered into a new three-year, senior unsecured $1 billion revolving credit agreement (the “Revolving Credit Agreement”).  This new credit facility replaced our previously existing $500 million senior unsecured revolving credit facility.  We paid fees of approximately $8 million relating to the new credit facility, which are being amortized to interest expense over the three-year term of the facility.

Subject to certain terms and conditions, we may increase the amount of the revolving credit facility under the Revolving Credit Agreement by up to $250 million in the aggregate.  All committed pro rata borrowings under the revolving facility will bear interest at a variable annual rate based on the LIBOR or base rate, at our election, subject to the terms and conditions thereof, plus, in each case, an applicable margin based on our leverage ratio (as reported in the financial statements delivered pursuant to the Revolving Credit Agreement).

The Revolving Credit Agreement contains customary representations, warranties, covenants, events of default, terms and conditions, including limitations on liens, incurrence of debt, mergers and significant asset dispositions.  We must also comply with a leverage ratio and an interest coverage ratio covenant.  The occurrence of an event of default under the Revolving Credit Agreement could result in all loans and other obligations under the agreement being declared due and payable and the revolving credit facility being terminated.

At December 31, 2010, there were $275 million of borrowings outstanding under our revolving credit facility.  In addition, we have a number of short-term credit facilities consisting of operating lines of credit.  At December 31, 2010, we had total debt outstanding of $1.77 billion, compared to $544 million at December 31, 2009.  In addition to the borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement, the debt includes $350 million (principal amount) of 3.2 percent notes due 2015, $200 million of 6.0 percent senior notes due 2017, $200 million of 5.62 percent senior notes due 2020, $400 million (principal amount) of 4.625 percent notes due 2020, $250 million (principal amount) of 6.625 percent senior notes due 2037 and $88 million of consolidated subsidiary debt consisting of local country short-term borrowings.  Corn Products International, as the parent company, guarantees certain obligations of its consolidated subsidiaries.  At December 31, 2010, such guarantees aggregated $57 million.  Management believes that such consolidated subsidiaries will meet their financial obligations as they become due.

Historically, the principal source of our liquidity has been our internally generated cash flow, which we supplement as necessary with our ability to borrow on our bank lines and to raise funds in the capital markets.  In addition to borrowing availability under our Revolving Credit Agreement, we also have approximately $475 million of unused operating lines of credit in the various foreign countries in which we operate.

The weighted average interest rate on our total indebtedness was approximately 5.5 percent and 5.3 percent for 2010 and 2009, respectively.  The weighted average interest rate for 2010 excludes the $20 million of bridge loan fees charged to financing costs in 2010.

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Net Cash Flows

A summary of operating cash flows is shown below:

Cash provided by operations was $394 million in 2010, as compared with $586 million in 2009.  The decrease in operating cash flow primarily reflects a reduction in cash flow from working capital activities.  The decline in cash flow from working capital activities was driven principally by a $224 million year over year change in our margin accounts related to corn futures and option contracts.  To manage price risk related to corn purchases in North America, we use derivative instruments (corn futures and options contracts) to lock in our corn costs associated with firm-priced customer sales contracts.  We are unable to hedge price risk related to co-product sales.  As the market price of corn fluctuates, our derivative instruments change in value and we fund any unrealized losses or receive cash for any unrealized gains related to outstanding corn futures and option contracts.  Due to the substantial change in the market price of corn in 2008, we were required to fund significant losses associated with our derivative instruments, particularly during the second half of 2008.  As expected, these cash payments were recovered in 2009 when the related corn was used in our manufacturing process and we collected the proceeds from the sales of our products to our customers.  In 2010, margin account activity was lower reflecting less volatile commodity prices than in 2009/2008.  We plan to continue to use corn futures and option contracts to hedge the price risk associated with firm-priced customer sales contracts in our North American business and accordingly, we will be required to make or be entitled to receive, cash deposits for margin calls depending on the movement in the market price for corn.

Listed below is our primary investing and financing activities for 2010:

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In connection with the acquisition of National Starch, on September 17, 2010, we issued and sold $900 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes (the “Notes”) as follows:

We paid debt issuance costs of approximately $7 million relating to the Notes, which will be amortized to interest expense over the lives of the respective notes.  Additionally, the premium and discounts on the Notes will be amortized to interest expense over the lives of the respective notes.

Interest on the 3.2 percent notes and the 4.625 percent notes is required to be paid semi-annually on May 1st and November 1st, commencing May 1, 2011.  Interest on the 6.625 percent notes is required to be paid semi-annually on April 15th and October 15th, commencing October 15, 2010.

The Notes are redeemable, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, at our option.  See Note 6 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding the Notes.

As a result of the sale of the Notes and the completion of the new revolving credit facility, we terminated the $1.35 billion bridge term loan facility that we had previously arranged.  Fees associated with the bridge loan totaling $20 million were expensed to financing costs in September 2010.

We had an agreement with certain common stockholders (collectively the “holder”), relating to 500,000 shares of our common stock, that provided the holder with the right to require us to repurchase those common shares for cash at a price equal to the average of the closing per share market price of our common stock for the 20 trading days immediately preceding the date that the holder exercised the put option.  This put option was exercisable at any time, until January 2010, when it expired.  The shares associated with the put option were classified as redeemable common stock in our consolidated balance sheet prior to the expiration of the put option.  The carrying value of the redeemable common stock was $14 million at December 31, 2009.  Effective with the expiration of the agreement, we discontinued reporting the shares as redeemable common stock and reclassified the $14 million from redeemable common stock to additional paid-in capital.

On November 17, 2010, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.14 per share of common stock.  The cash dividend was paid on January 25, 2011 to stockholders of record at the close of business on December 31, 2010.

We currently anticipate that capital expenditures for 2011 will be in the range of $280 million to $300 million.

We currently expect that our future operating cash flows and borrowing availability under our credit facilities will provide us with sufficient liquidity to fund our anticipated capital expenditures, dividends, and other investing and/or financing strategies for the foreseeable future.

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Hedging

We are exposed to market risk stemming from changes in commodity prices, foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates.  In the normal course of business, we actively manage our exposure to these market risks by entering into various hedging transactions, authorized under established policies that place clear controls on these activities.  These transactions utilize exchange traded derivatives or over-the-counter derivatives with investment grade counterparties.  Our hedging transactions may include but are not limited to a variety of derivative financial instruments such as commodity futures, options and swap contracts, forward currency contracts and options, interest rate swap agreements and treasury lock agreements.  See Note 5 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

Commodity Price Risk:

We use derivatives to manage price risk related to purchases of corn and natural gas used in the manufacturing process.  We periodically enter into futures, options and swap contracts for a portion of our anticipated corn and natural gas usage, generally over the following twelve to eighteen months, in order to hedge price risk associated with fluctuations in market prices.  These derivative instruments are recognized at fair value and have effectively reduced our exposure to changes in market prices for these commodities.  We are unable to hedge price risk related to co-product sales.  Unrealized gains and losses associated with marking our commodities-based derivative instruments to market are recorded as a component of other comprehensive income (“OCI”).  At December 31, 2010, our accumulated other comprehensive loss account (“AOCI”) included $54 million of gains, net of tax of $32 million, related to these derivative instruments.  It is anticipated that approximately $53 million of these gains, net of tax, will be reclassified into earnings during the next twelve months.  We expect the gains to be offset by changes in the underlying commodities cost.

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk:

Due to our global operations, we are exposed to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.  As a result, we have exposure to translational foreign exchange risk when our foreign operation results are translated to US dollars (USD) and to transactional foreign exchange risk when transactions not denominated in the functional currency of the operating unit are revalued.  We primarily use foreign currency forward contracts, swaps and options to selectively hedge our foreign currency transactional exposures.  We generally hedge these exposures up to twelve months forward.  As of December 31, 2010, we had $41 million of net notional foreign currency forward contracts that hedged net asset transactional exposures.

Interest Rate Risk:

We are exposed to interest rate volatility with regard to future issuances of fixed-rate debt, and existing and future issuances of variable-rate debt.  Primary exposures include US Treasury rates, LIBOR, and local short-term borrowing rates.  We use interest rate swaps and Treasury Lock agreements from time to time to hedge our exposure to interest rate changes, to reduce the volatility of our financing costs, or to achieve a desired proportion of fixed versus floating rate debt, based on current and projected market conditions.  At December 31, 2010, we did not have any interest rate swaps or Treasury Lock agreements outstanding.

In conjunction with a plan to issue the 5.62 percent Senior Series A Notes and in order to manage exposure to variability in the benchmark interest rate on which the fixed interest rate of the Senior Series A Notes would be based, we had previously entered into a Treasury Lock agreement (the “T-Lock”) with respect to $50 million of these borrowings.  The T-Lock was designated as a hedge of the variability in cash flows associated with future interest payments caused by market fluctuations in the benchmark interest rate between the time the T-Lock was entered and the time the debt was priced.  It is accounted for as a cash flow hedge.  The T-Lock expired on April 30, 2009 and we paid approximately $6 million, representing the losses on the T-Lock, to settle the agreement.  The losses are included in AOCI in the equity section of our balance sheet and are being amortized to financing costs over the ten-year term of the Senior Series A Notes.  See also Note 6 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

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In conjunction with a plan to issue the 3.2 percent Senior Notes due November 1, 2015 (the “2015 Notes”) and the 4.625 percent Senior Notes due November 1, 2020 (the “2020 Notes”), and in order to manage our exposure to variability in the benchmark interest rates on which the fixed interest rates of these notes would be based, we entered into T-Lock agreements with respect to $300 million of the 2015 Notes and $300 million of the 2020 Notes (the “T-Locks”).  The T-Locks were designated as hedges of the variability in cash flows associated with future interest payments caused by market fluctuations in the benchmark interest rate between the time the T-Locks were entered and the time the debt was priced.  The T-Locks are accounted for as cash flow hedges.  The T-Locks were terminated on September 15, 2010 and we paid approximately $15 million, representing the losses on the T-Locks, to settle the agreements.  The losses are included in AOCI and are being amortized to financing costs over the terms of the 2015 and 2020 Notes.  See also Note 6 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

At December 31, 2010, our accumulated other comprehensive loss account included $14 million of losses (net of tax of $9 million) related to Treasury Lock agreements.  It is anticipated that $2 million of these losses (net of tax of $1 million) will be reclassified into earnings during the next twelve months.

Contractual Obligations and Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

The table below summarizes our significant contractual obligations as of December 31, 2010.  Information included in the table is cross-referenced to the notes to the consolidated financial statements elsewhere in this report, as applicable.

(a)   The purchase obligations relate principally to power supply agreements, including take or pay energy supply contracts, which help to provide us with an adequate power supply at certain of our facilities.

(b)   The above table does not reflect unrecognized income tax benefits of $29 million, the timing of which is uncertain. See Note 8 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements for additional information with respect to unrecognized income tax benefits.

On January 20, 2006, Corn Products Brazil (“CPO Brazil”) entered into a Natural Gas Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Companhia de Gas de Sao Paulo — Comgas (“Comgas”). Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, Comgas supplies natural gas to the cogeneration facility at CPO Brazil’s Mogi Guacu plant.  This Agreement will expire on March 31, 2023, unless extended or terminated under certain conditions specified in the Agreement.  During the term of the Agreement, CPO Brazil is obligated to purchase from Comgas, and Comgas is obligated to provide to CPO Brazil, certain minimum quantities of natural gas that are specified in the Agreement.  The price for such quantities of natural gas is determined pursuant to a formula set forth in the Agreement.  The price may vary based upon gas commodity cost and transportation costs, which are adjusted annually; the distribution margin which is set by the Brazilian Commission of Public Energy Services; and the fluctuation of exchange rates between the US dollar and the Brazilian real.  We

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estimate that the total minimum expenditures by CPO Brazil through the remaining term of the Agreement will be approximately $228 million based on current exchange rates as of December 31, 2010 and estimates regarding the application of the formula set forth in the Agreement, spread evenly over the remaining term of the Agreement.  These amounts are included in the purchase obligations disclosed in the table above.  See also Note 10 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

We currently anticipate that in 2011 we will make cash contributions of $8 million and $11 million to our US and non-US pension plans, respectively.  See Note 9 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements for further information with respect to our pension and postretirement benefit plans.

Key Performance Metrics

We use certain key metrics to monitor our progress towards achieving our long-term strategic business objectives.  These metrics relate to our return on capital employed, our financial leverage, and our management of working capital, each of which is tracked on an ongoing basis.  We assess whether we are achieving an adequate return on invested capital by measuring our “Return on Capital Employed” (“ROCE”) against our cost of capital.  We monitor our financial leverage by regularly reviewing our ratio of debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“Debt to Adjusted EBITDA”) and our “Debt to Capitalization” percentage to assure that we are properly financed.  We assess our level of working capital investment by evaluating our “Operating Working Capital as a percentage of Net Sales.”  We believe the use of these metrics enables us to better run our business and is useful to investors.

As previously mentioned, we acquired National Starch on October 1, 2010 for $1.354 billion in cash, most of which was provided by long-term financing.  Since our year-end 2010 consolidated income statement includes the operating results of National Starch for only three months, yet our consolidated balance sheet reflects the full amount of the new debt, certain of our metric calculations for 2010 are adversely impacted.

The metrics below include certain information (including Capital Employed, Adjusted Operating Income, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Current Assets, Adjusted Current Liabilities and Operating Working Capital) that is not calculated in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”).  Management uses non-GAAP financial measures internally for strategic decision making, forecasting future results and evaluating current performance.  By disclosing non-GAAP financial measures, management intends to provide a more meaningful, consistent comparison of our operating results and trends for the periods presented.  These non-GAAP financial measures are used in addition to and in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP and reflect an additional way of viewing aspects of our operations that, when viewed with our GAAP results, provide a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting our business.  These non-GAAP measures should be considered as a supplement to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, the corresponding measures calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Non-GAAP financial measures are not prepared in accordance with GAAP; therefore, the information is not necessarily comparable to other companies.  A reconciliation of non-GAAP historical financial measures to the most comparable GAAP measure is provided in the tables below.

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Our calculations of these key metrics for 2010 with comparisons to the prior year are as follows:

*  Balance sheet amounts used in computing capital employed represent beginning of period balances.

** The effective income tax rate for 2010 and 2009 exclude the impacts of acquisition costs and impairment and restructuring charges.  Including these charges, the Company’s effective income tax rate for 2010 and 2009 were 36.1 percent and 59.5 percent, respectively.  Listed below is a schedule that reconciles our effective income tax rates under US GAAP to the adjusted income tax rates.

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