Lesaffre, Zilor launch joint venture to advance yeast-based solutions in global food and feed markets

BRAZIL – French fermentation giant Lesaffre has finalised the acquisition of a 70% stake in Biorigin, a business unit of Brazilian agri-industrial multinational Zilor, establishing a joint venture aimed at enhancing natural yeast-derived solutions for the food and feed industries worldwide.

The partnership merges the complementary strengths of Lesaffre’s business unit, Biospringer by Lesaffre, and Biorigin, enabling both companies to deliver advanced savoury ingredients and nutritional solutions backed by a sustainable, vertically integrated supply chain.

“This acquisition … will offer development opportunities to meet the growing needs of the human food and nutrition industries, as society currently demands savoury ingredients from natural sources,” 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 savoury ingredients market.”

The deal grants Lesaffre a controlling interest in Biorigin, which includes the acquisition of its high-performing production facility in Quatá, São Paulo, an industrial site renowned for its carbon-neutral operations, powered by biomass energy. 

Zilor will retain a 30% share in the joint venture and continue to manage its facilities in Lençóis Paulista and Macatuba, which produce yeast-based products for the nutrition of pets and livestock.

Strategic synergies to drive innovation and sustainability

Both companies bring formidable capabilities to the table: Lesaffre is a leading player in fermentation and microbial solutions, while Zilor has deep roots in sugarcane processing, producing sugar, ethanol, renewable electricity, and natural ingredients for animal nutrition. 

Together, they plan to unlock synergies across R&D, production, logistics, and customer service.

“This innovative partnership will accelerate the delivery of customer-centric solutions,” the companies said in a joint statement. 

“It will rely on common values, recognised sales and technical expertise, and a global industrial network, including Biorigin’s Quatá production unit, combined with a vertical and sustainable supply chain.”

Importantly, the Biorigin brand will be retained for the production, marketing, and sales of yeast derivative products, preserving its identity in global markets while benefiting from Lesaffre’s expanded reach and technical infrastructure. 

The partnership is expected to significantly expand production capacity and offer new solutions for both human and animal nutrition sectors.

Zilor will continue to operate its ethanol production and manage brewer’s spent yeast facilities independently. 

“The yeast-based products for pet and livestock nutrition produced at the Lençóis Paulista and Macatuba facilities will remain under the management and commercialisation of Zilor,” the company confirmed.

The initial agreement was publicly disclosed on October 4, 2024, pending standard regulatory approvals, including from Brazil’s Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE). 

With those conditions now fulfilled, Lesaffre and Zilor will proceed with the full implementation of the joint venture.

This alliance not only strengthens Lesaffre’s presence in the Brazilian market, a country rich in sugarcane, water, and renewable energy, but also reflects both firms’ ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship. 

The companies emphasised that best practices and continuous improvement in sustainability will remain at the forefront of their operations.

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