MARCQ-EN-BAROEUL, FRANCE and SÃO PAULO — Lesaffre, a player in fermentation and microorganisms, and Zilor, a Brazilian producer of sugar, ethanol, renewable energy and natural animal nutrition ingredients, announced they have embarked upon a joint venture. Lesaffre has acquired a 70% stake in Zilor’s ingredient business Biorigin. The deal was originally announced in October 2024. 

Through the joint venture, Lesaffre will combine the capabilities of its Biospringer business with Biorigin to provide natural yeast derivative and savory ingredient solutions for the human food and animal nutrition industries. By combining their businesses, Lesaffre and Zilor will help accelerate the development of customer-centric solutions, according to the companies. The venture will tap the companies’ sales and technical expertise and vertical, sustainable supply chains, as well as Biorigin’s production site in Quatá, São Paulo. 

In addition to merging their capabilities, the companies will also work collaboratively to reduce environmental impact. The production site in Quatá uses biomass as an energy source, helping advance carbon neutrality. 

Lesaffre’s business units are expected to benefit from the venture. It will also help reinforce the company’s position as a key player in human food, animal nutrition, pet supplement and aquaculture markets.

Zilor will continue to operate its production of ethanol and brewer’s spent yeast for animal nutrition. The company’s yeast-based products for pet and livestock nutrition that are produced at its facilities in Lençóis Paulista and Macatuba, São Paulo, will remain under Zilor’s management and commercialization. 

Read more news from pet food and treat industry suppliers.