Sensient Technologies Corp., a specialty chemical manufacturer, plans to invest $16 million in its St. Louis facility. The money will fund the addition of a 25,000-square-foot production facility for natural colors. The company also produces flavorings and fragrances for food and beverages, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.

"This major new investment emphasizes the growing importance of natural colors for food and beverages," said Kenneth Manning, chairman and CEO of Sensient Technologies. "The trend toward natural colors is accelerating, and this new manufacturing plant will further promote the conversion to natural colors by large food and beverage manufacturers."

After the new investment, Sensient's total funding of its natural colors operation will be more than $50 million. The company says it will have the largest natural colors plant in the country.