Kerry has inaugurated the Kerry Biotechnology Centre in Leipzig, Germany, which will focus on the development of innovative biotech solutions across food, beverage and pharma applications.
New capabilities in biotechnology are opening the field to discoveries and opportunities for innovative market solutions that can increase efficiencies across a range of food production processes, overcome ingredient scarcity and create products tailored to precise needs.
Kerry has significantly developed its biotechnology capabilities recently, having built a dedicated technology and manufacturing footprint through a combination of strategic acquisitions and organic investment.
The Biotechnology Centre in Leipzig will then further enhance Kerry's global infrastructure in this space.
Leipzig has been chosen as the location for the new facility, given the exceptional biotechnology skills base and research cluster that has developed in the city.
c-LEcta, which was acquired by Kerry in 2022 for its specialist capabilities in enzymes and biotechnology, was itself established in 2004 as a spin-out from the University of Leipzig.
Aligned with the Group's sustainable nutrition strategy, the new biotechnology centre will be directed by Dr Marc Struhalla, the founder of c-LEcta and will draw on the work of more than 100 scientists and technical experts, including 34 PhDs based at the centre.
The primary activities that will be undertaken at the new facility include enzyme and strain identification and engineering, fermentation and bioprocess development and scale-up and production.
Novel enzymes are selected from nature and can then be tailored to perform specific functions with applications in a broad spectrum of use cases.
Some of the innovative products utilising biotech capabilities which have already been commercialised by Kerry include the following:
- ACRYLERASE: a new-to-world enzyme solution capable of removing acrylamide in instant coffee
- DENARASE: a best-in-class enzyme solution designed to remove residual DNA and utilised in the manufacturing of vaccines, plus gene and cell therapies
- BIOBAKE: enzymes which dramatically increase the shelf life and processability of baked products.
Following the opening in Leipzig, Kerry CEO Edmond Scanlon said: "Biotechnology solutions present a new horizon of innovation and opportunity for global food, beverage and pharmaceutical markets."
"Kerry's existing portfolio of biotech capabilities, which has been built up during the past 20 years, together with this new biotechnology centre, enables us to play a leading role in bringing the next generation of discoveries in this space to market."