JBS opens US$37M Biotech centre in Brazil to advance alternative proteins

BRAZIL – JBS, the world’s largest meat company, has inaugurated a US$37 million biotechnology centre in Florianópolis, Brazil, aimed at advancing innovation across the food production chain.

The facility, named JBS Biotech, is located in Sapiens Parque and spans more than 4,000 square metres.

It houses over 20 laboratories designed to support the entire development cycle, from early-stage research to validation for industrial-scale applications.

The centre will focus on key areas including animal health, precision nutrition, and functional and alternative proteins.

Its capabilities span a wide range of scientific disciplines, including cellular and molecular biology, engineering, and data analysis.

“JBS Biotech is capable of developing everything from functional proteins – the so-called ‘superproteins’ – to new bioactive ingredients for the supplement and food market,” said JBS CEO Gilberto Tomazoni.

“More than just producing a finished product, our goal is to develop knowledge and technology, accelerate proof-of-concept projects, and pave the way for future industrial-scale applications,” he added.

According to JBS, the facility is equipped with advanced technologies, including next-generation sequencing, molecular analysis, and omics platforms.

It also features laboratories for cultivating cells, microorganisms, and plants, as well as a biobank for storing and managing biological samples.

Research conducted at the site will also explore ways to convert industrial co-products into higher-value ingredients such as functional proteins and bioactive compounds.

This approach aligns with the company’s broader circular economy strategy.

In addition, the centre will support advancements in animal health through the development of veterinary products and data-driven tools to improve production efficiency and animal welfare.

The investment forms part of JBS’s broader push into alternative proteins and biotechnology.

The company previously invested US$100 million in cultivated meat through its acquisition of Spanish food-tech firm BioTech Foods.

More than a third of that investment has been allocated to the Florianópolis facility, with the remainder earmarked for the construction of a production plant in San Sebastián, Spain.

The San Sebastián site has been described as a future large-scale facility for cultivated beef production.

The opening of JBS Biotech further expands the company’s footprint in this emerging segment.

JBS has also strengthened its plant-based portfolio through acquisitions.

In 2025, the company acquired The Vegetarian Butcher from Unilever and combined it with its Vivera brand to form The Vegetarian Butcher Collective.

“Our mission is to make biotechnological knowledge tangible,” said Fernanda Berti, CEO of JBS Biotech. “We want to transform science into solutions that generate lasting value for the company and for society.”

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