Kemin expands enzyme capabilities with CJ Youtell acquisition

CHINA – Kemin Industries, a leading global manufacturer of ingredients, has expanded its global enzyme production capabilities with the acquisition of CJ Youtell Biotech, the enzymes and fermentation subsidiary of CJ Bio. 

The deal, announced on September 23, 2025, positions the Iowa-based ingredient manufacturer to strengthen its presence across animal feed, aquaculture, food, textiles, paper, pulp, and biofuel industries.

With full ownership of CJ Youtell’s fermentation plants in Shandong and Hunan, China, Kemin gains a world-class fermentation platform and a broad enzyme product portfolio. 

These assets allow the company to deliver high-performance and sustainable enzyme technologies directly to customers worldwide, while also enhancing production efficiency and supply chain resilience.

“We are pleased to welcome CJ Youtell into the Kemin family,” said Dr. Chris Nelson, President and CEO of Kemin Industries. 

“This acquisition is a bold step forward in our ongoing strategy to provide cutting-edge fermentation solutions directly to our customers. Adding CJ Youtell to our portfolio further enhances Kemin’s expertise and dedication to supply high-quality and innovative enzyme ingredients and solutions across industries and around the world.”

The integration will also bolster Kemin’s research and development capacity, with additional laboratories and technical teams specialising in bioengineering, biochemistry, and enzyme formulation. According to the company, these resources will help optimise production costs and ensure competitively priced, high-quality enzyme solutions for multiple industries.

Building on decades of expertise

For Kemin, which has been formulating enzyme solutions for more than 40 years, the acquisition represents a significant leap forward. Michelle Lim, President of Kemin Enzymes, emphasised the value of combining expertise with new fermentation assets.

“The acquisition of CJ Youtell marks a powerful expansion of Kemin’s enzyme capabilities,” she said. 

“With CJ Youtell’s fermentation expertise now part of our portfolio, we offer customers a fully integrated solution—from proprietary strain development and manufacturing to final formulation and application support.”

By uniting in-house fermentation with advanced formulation, technical sales, and Customer Laboratory Services, Kemin is positioning itself as a one-stop provider of enzyme technologies.

The company says this integration will accelerate innovation, improve agility, and enable customers to stay ahead in competitive and evolving markets.

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