Kerry expands biotech capabilities with new Leipzig facility
Biotechnology solutions present a new horizon of innovation and opportunity for global food, beverage and pharmaceutical markets.
GERMANY – Kerry, a global leader in taste and nutrition solutions, has inaugurated the Kerry Biotechnology Centre in Leipzig, Germany, which will focus on developing innovative biotech solutions for food, beverage, and pharmaceutical applications.
The centre’s activities will span enzyme and strain identification, strain engineering, fermentation, bioprocess development, scale-up, and production.
Novel enzymes sourced from nature can be tailored to perform precise functions, unlocking opportunities for diverse applications.
To date, Kerry has successfully commercialised several pioneering biotech products.
Among them is ACRYLERASE™, a first-of-its-kind enzyme that removes acrylamide in instant coffee; DENARASE®, a leading solution that eliminates residual DNA during the production of vaccines and cell and gene therapies; and BIOBAKE™, a range of enzymes that significantly enhance the shelf life and processability of baked goods.
New biotechnology capabilities are opening the door to market innovations that improve efficiency, address ingredient scarcity, and deliver products tailored to specific needs, ultimately enhancing both human health and product functionality.
In recent years, Kerry has substantially expanded its biotechnology expertise through a combination of strategic acquisitions and organic investment.
The Leipzig centre strengthens this global infrastructure and builds on the city’s vibrant biotechnology ecosystem.
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.
Notably, c-LEcta, which was acquired by Kerry in 2022 for its expertise in enzymes and biotechnology, was established in 2004 as a spin-out from the University of Leipzig.
Kerry’s biotechnology research and production infrastructure spans three continents and is led and coordinated from Kerry’s Global Innovation Centre in Ireland.
Aligned with the Group’s sustainable nutrition strategy, the new Biotechnology Centre in Leipzig will be directed by Dr. Marc Struhalla, the founder of c-LEcta, and will draw on the work of over 100 scientists and technical experts, including 34 PhDs based in the centre.
At the opening, Kerry CEO Edmond Scanlon underscored the transformative potential of biotechnology 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,” Scanlon said.
Early this year, Kerry inaugurated a new manufacturing facility in Uganda.
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