MARCQ-EN-BAROEUL, FRANCE and SÃO PAULO — Lesaffre, a French yeast manufacturer, announced its acquisition of a majority stake in Biorigin, a producer of yeast-derived products for human and animal nutrition, on Oct. 4. The company acquired 70% of Biorigin’s corporate capital from its parent company Zilor, which will maintain a 30% share in the company. 

Biorigin specializes in the production of natural ingredients specifically for animal and human nutrition. The company has been operating in the animal nutrition space, including the pet food industry, since 1994, offering solutions to support animal performance, health and welfare.

Biorigin’s products are produced using exclusive biotechnological processes. Using the yeast strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae, known as brewer’s yeast, the company creates various functional ingredients that can help support immune, gut and digestive health, as well as promote palatability and animal development. Zilor provides Biorigin with its raw materials, allowing the company to ensure total control of its production chain and offer traceability of the entire process. 

“Biorigin’s 20-year history has been marked by innovation and commitment to sustainability,” said Fabiano Zillo, chief executive officer of Zilor. “Throughout this time, Biorigin has built solid, long-term business partnerships, with great respect for its customers and other stakeholders. We believe this partnership will be a great opportunity to contribute to sustainable development and enhance the supply of yeast derivatives to the human food and animal nutrition markets. 

“This deal will allow Biorigin to incorporate greater expertise, market insight and access to advanced R&D capabilities from Lesaffre and will allow Biorigin’s parent company, Zilor, to join forces with a highly capable and experienced strategic partner,” he added.

According to Lesaffre, the acquisition will help improve its production processes, logistics and services for its customers. The company will leverage Biorigin’s capabilities to enhance its yeast derivative ingredient solutions. The deal includes Biorigin’s industrial plant based in Quatá/São Paulo, Brazil, which has access to an abundant supply of sugar, water and renewable energy for ingredient production.   

“This acquisition of a majority stake in Biorigin represents an exciting new chapter for Lesaffre,” said Brice-Audren Riché, CEO of Lesaffre. “…We are stepping up to a new dimension thanks to this strategic move to reinforce Lesaffre and its Business Unit Biospringer by Lesaffre as global players in the field of yeast extracts for the savory ingredients market. Importantly, we are doing this with a key strategic partner, Zilor, who shares similar values to Lesaffre and a strong focus on corporate social responsibility. 

“Committed to deliver responsible taste through Biospringer, and together with Biorigin, we are well-positioned to deliver enhanced yeast derivative and savory ingredient solutions to customers around the world,” he added.

Following the deal, Biorigin’s brand will be retained for producing, marketing and selling ingredients. Additionally, Zilor will maintain its units in Lençóis Paulista and Macatuba, São Paulo, which produces products from alcoholic fermented yeast and brewer’s yeast. 

The deal is expected to close in the next few months and until then Lesaffre and Biorigin will remain independent. 

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