Kerry announces significant strategic biotechnology acquisitions
15th February 2022: Kerry, the world’s leading taste and nutrition company, has announced that it has made two significant biotechnology acquisitions that will expand its expertise, technology portfolio and manufacturing capabilities. The company has announced that it has reached agreement to acquire the leading biotechnology innovation company, c-LEcta while also confirming that it has acquired the Mexican based enzyme manufacture, Enmex.
c-LEcta is a leading biotechnology innovation company specialising in precision fermentation, optimised bio-processing and bio-transformation for the creation of high-value targeted enzymes and ingredients. Based in Leipzig, Germany and employing over 100 people, c-LEcta has established itself as a leading innovator in disruptive new sciences for the pharmaceutical market, with a strong pipeline of functional bioactives across food, beverage and other consumer markets.
Enmex is a well-established enzyme manufacturer based in Mexico, supplying multiple bio-process solutions for food, beverage and animal nutrition markets. With a long history of partnering with global customers, Enmex has a complementary enzyme portfolio and a strong manufacturing infrastructure, which will extend Kerry’s fermentation and enzyme manufacturing capabilities into Latin America.
Commenting on the agreement with c-LEcta, Dr Albert McQuaid, Chief Science and Technology Officer of Kerry, said: “The food and pharmaceutical industries are on the cusp of a new wave of innovation where new developments in biotechnology, synthetic biology and precision fermentation are radically transforming these sectors. c-LEcta is a leader in these new technologies, which includes fermentation-based products such as disruptive new enzymes, and the strategically compelling combination with Kerry will accelerate our innovation capabilities in enzyme engineering, fermentation and bio-process development. Our broad market reach across food and pharma markets, combined with our deep enzyme applications expertise and integrated ingredient technology design, will enable and accelerate the growth potential of c-LEcta’s strong portfolio and technology capabilities while also supporting us in the creation of tastier, more sustainable and healthier products.”
Regarding the acquisition of Enmex, Neil Cracknell, CEO of Kerry Applied Health and Nutrition, said: “Enzymes are increasingly playing a vital role as biocatalysts in the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries, where they deliver many benefits including improved product quality, increased process efficiency, and reduced food waste, through both minimization of waste and valorisation of waste streams. This strategic acquisition of Enmex will complement Kerry’s existing enzyme portfolio and build on our strength in enzymes for modifying cereals and grains. We see enzymes playing a critical role in helping achieve Kerry’s vision to create a world of sustainable nutrition, which is about providing better nutrition, with better processes, which have less impact on our earth’s resources.”
ENDS
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About Kerry Group
Kerry is the world’s leading taste and nutrition partner for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical markets, with its broad range of ingredient solutions reaching over one billion consumers around the world. We innovate with our customers to create great tasting products, with improved nutrition and functionality, while ensuring a better impact for the planet. Our leading consumer insights, global RD&A team of 1,100+ food scientists and extensive global footprint enable us to solve our customers’ complex challenges with differentiated solutions. At Kerry, we are driven to be our customers’ most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition. For more information, visit kerry.com.
About c-LEcta
c-LEcta is a leading biotechnology company located in Leipzig, Germany. The company has established itself as a leading player in the realisation of high-value biotechnology products for regulated markets, either as in-house development or in close cooperation with the industry. c-LEcta innovation capability delivers cost-efficient and sustainable production processes, creating growth opportunities across existing and new markets.
About Enmex
Enmex was founded in 1972 and is a leading enzyme manufacturer based in Mexico, with a broad enzyme portfolio for food, beverage and animal nutrition markets. Its vast experience in industrial level bioprocessing, and strong reputation within the industry position Enmex as a leading manufacturer of microbial enzymes for many global customers.