Lesaffre acquires dsm-firmenich's yeast extract business

The move will reinforce the company's presence in the savory ingredients market.

Lesaffre, an independent global player in fermentation and microorganisms, has announced the signing of a transaction with dsm-firmenich, an innovator in nutrition, health and beauty, regarding its yeast extract business.

Lesaffre and dsm-firmenich have reached agreement for a multi-part collaboration in yeast derivatives serving the savory ingredients space. Lesaffre will acquire dsm firmenich's yeast extract go-to-market organization and know-how, enabling production of dsm-firmenich's yeast extract products in Lesaffre's global manufacturing network.

This acquisition of talent and know-how and a technology partnership with dsm-firmenich will strengthen Lesaffre's trajectory in the savory ingredients market, bolstering its current R&D expertise and expanding its range of high-quality products. Acquiring dsm-firmenich's yeast extract processing technologies will enable Lesaffre to better serve customers in savory and other fermentation-based applications.

It is a transformative strategic step for Biospringer by Lesaffre, a global provider of innovative natural origin solutions from yeast fermentation. Biospringer will offer to its customers a wider range of products and solutions to improve taste, texture, and other desired properties in their various food applications.

For Brice-Audren Riché, CEO of Lesaffre, "This transaction completely fits in our strategy to become a true global specialist in yeast extracts, and derivatives for the savory ingredients market. Close to our customers on all continents, we develop tailored solutions fitting to local cultures, consumer tastes and market trends. To maintain excellence in biomanufacturing, we also have invested in the last few years in new biosciences technologies including high-throughput strain screening. The collaboration with dsm-firmenich will help us keep pace in an ever-progressing industry and allow us to expand our business by integrating great people and new in-house supply capabilities. We very much look forward to welcome dsm-firmenich employees within our Group to pave with them the way for sustained growth and expanded customer diversification."

For Patrick Niels, dsm-firmenich BU president taste, texture, and health, ''With a similar history of more than 150 years of purpose driven biotechnology R&D and innovation, to nourish people and our planet, we have found the perfect home for our yeast extract business and those employees who will join Lesaffre, where they will have the opportunity to further develop their careers. With this transaction, our customers are ensured of continuity of supply of the products and product brands they like and are used to – but now as part of Lesaffre's portfolio of innovative food solutions. We look forward to continuing to work closely with Lesaffre on the development of yeast extract knowledge and expertise through the technology partnership agreement."

dsm-firmenich is a Swiss-Dutch company, listed on the Euronext Amsterdam. Lesaffre and dsm-firmenich hope to close the transaction by the end of the year. Closing remains subject to the customary regulatory approvals and works council consultations at dsm-firmenich.

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Liz Parker Kuhn is the senior editor of Candy Industry and Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery, and has worked at BNP Media since 2012. She has written for CBS Detroit as well as for her own blogs. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Michigan. Liz can be contacted at (248) 839-7156 or at parkere@bnpmedia.com.