Irish foods ingredients major Kerry has opened a new biotechnology centre in Leipzig, Germany, to support “innovations” in food, beverage, and pharmaceutical applications.
The facility will carry out research in areas including enzyme and strain identification, strain engineering, fermentation, bioprocess development, scale-up, and production.
It will be led by Dr Marc Struhalla, founder of c-LEcta, the biotechnology firm that Kerry acquired in 2022.
More than 100 scientists and technical specialists, among them 34 PhD holders, will be employed at the site.
According to the company, Leipzig was chosen due to the city’s established biotechnology expertise and research environment.
c-LEcta was originally created in 2004 as a spin-out from the University of Leipzig.
Kerry noted that enzymes sourced from nature can be adapted for particular uses, with potential across a wide range of industries.
Examples already on the market include ACRYLERASE, used to reduce acrylamide in instant coffee.
Others include DENARASE, which removes residual DNA in vaccine and gene and cell therapy production, as well as
BIOBAKE, enzymes developed to extend shelf life and improve processing in baked products.
The Leipzig centre adds to Kerry’s biotechnology operations across three continents, which are coordinated through its Global Innovation Centre in Ireland.
The company said the initiative is part of its sustainable nutrition strategy.
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 over 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, supporting our customers, as they meet consumer needs for sustainable nutrition.”
