Global biotechnology firm announces Evolva acquisition

The deal was completed last month (December 2023) and saw the acquisition of Evolva from parent company Evolva Holding by a Lallemand subsidiary based in Switzerland Danstar Ferment.

Initially announced to the Swiss Stock Exchange on 21 November, the transaction was approved by Evolva Holding shareholders at an extraordinary general meeting in late December.

Evolva is headquartered in Reinach, Basel, and employees 48 members of staff. It is focused on the research, development and commercialisation of natural ingredients derived from yeast for applications across the flavors and fragrances, health ingredients, cosmetics and health protection sectors.

Meanwhile, Lallemand is a global organisation with a presence in more than 50 countries including the UK, where it operates 48 production plants and employs around 5,000 people. The family-owned business specialises in the development, production and marketing of yeasts, bacteria, fungi and enzyme solutions across the baking, food ingredients, human and animal nutrition, health, crop protection and nutrition, oenology, brewing, alcohol and biofuel sectors.

Speaking following the announcement, Lallemand Bio-Ingredients president Lars Asferg described Evolva as a “strong strategic fit​” alongside the firm’s yeast-based technology platform

“Evolva’s proprietary precision fermentation technology and R&D capabilities presents an ideal platform from which to expand our product offering mainly within health ingredients like Veri-te resveratrol and flavour and fragrance aroma components like Valencene and natural Nootkatone,” ​added Asferg.

“We look forward to welcoming the Evolva employees into our Lallemand family and continuing to work with suppliers, existing and new customers in bringing sustainable, yeast-based ingredients based to markets globally via Lallemand extensive commercial and operational network.”​

Food Manufacture has approached Evolva for comment.

In other news, Heineken has sold the site of the historic Caledonian Brewery, which first opened in 1869, to property development firm Artisan Real Estate.​ ​The 1.9 acre site has been closed since May 2022 and was put on sale in November of that year.