This agreement, expected to be completed by mid-2023, represents the first step of a long-term strategic alliance between both companies in which Suanfarma will contribute its knowhow in fermentation.
“Currently, the Nutraceutical Ingredients Division already represents 25% of our turnover and we are committed to notable growth in the coming years,” says Francisco Fernandez, CEO of Suanfarma group.
“With this strategic alliance Suanfarma extends the use of its existing knowledge in fermentation process boosting at the same time its presence in natural ingredients.
“Of course, always under the highest quality standards, since our factories have the most recognised international certifications.”
Cipan site
Under the terms of the agreement, the pact intends to expand existing biotechnological capabilities for natural ingredients at Cipan, Suanfarma’s manufacturing site located in Lisbon, Portugal.
Here, the facility operates a natural fermentation process that produces its flagship natural vanillin extract Rhovanil Natural CW.
“Cipan provides Solvay with technical knowledge on specialised fermentation processes in pharmaceuticals for food ingredients,” adds Daniel Rivero, Suanfarma’s Group Industrial Director.
“Different types of ingredients that require shared technologies, another great example of the potential of our know-how in fermentation and our focus in processes and technologies to produce high quality products.”
Commenting on the agreement, An Nuyttens, Solvay’s Aroma & Silica Global Business Units President says: “The investment is in line with our newly formed Renewable Materials and Biotechnology growth platform.
“It will boost our ability to meet our customers' long-term needs and enable the switch to bio-sourced and natural ingredients.”
New platform
Earlier this month, Solvay launched the platform that develops innovative and sustainable solutions for the biotechnology sector.
According to Solvay the platform will bring together several of its businesses to meet growing demand for sustainable solutions.
The firm says this will be achieved by increasing the share of renewable carbon in Solvay’s product offering and developing new business opportunities enabled by biotechnology.
It complements Solvay’s three existing growth platforms, Battery Materials, Green Hydrogen and Thermoplastic Composites.
“The sustainable use of renewable resources and biotechnology has gained momentum in the industry and has the potential to help solve some of the most pressing challenges faced by society today,” said Solvay CEO Ilham Kadri earlier in May.
“Through our new growth platform, we aim to connect with our partners to reinvent progress, as we have done throughout our 160-year history, playing a key role in the chemical industry’s transition to the bioeconomy and helping to create the sustainable and circular solutions required by society.”