Lesaffre acquired a majority stake in Biorigin (a business unit of Zilor), a multinational company producing yeast derivative products, to enhance the supply of yeast derivatives for savory ingredients. As a result of the deal, Lesaffre will become the controlling shareholder of Biorigin, with 70% of its total corporate capital, while Zilor will remain a shareholder with 30%.
Lesaffre finalized the acquisition of dsm-firmenich’s yeast extract business today, October 2. Lesaffre’s Business Unit Biospringer, specializing in natural origin solutions from yeast fermentation, will integrate dsm-firmenich’s yeast derivatives processing technologies and products. The team of 46 dsm-firmenich employees working on yeast extracts, will also join.
Lesaffre hosted an event at the Lesaffre Campus, where over 25 companies, including startups, were invited to brainstorm and explore a collaboration aiming at harnessing the power of carbon capture and utilization (CCU) in the food industry.
Lesaffre named Ulrich Irgens as General Manager of its business unit dedicated to nutrition and human health, Gnosis by Lesaffre. In this capacity, Ulrich Irgens has joined the Group’s Executive Committee.
Lesaffre and Qair, an independent renewable energy company, signed an 18-year contract for the direct purchase of renewable electricity (CPPA) from an agrivoltaic plant – a synergy between agricultural production and photovoltaic energy.
Lesaffre officially opened a new plant in Indonesia dedicated to the production of compressed and dry yeast, on February 29. From this new plant, built on a 9.8 ha land in Malang Regency, East Java, Lesaffre will supply baking yeast in Indonesia and ASEAN countries.
In 2024, Lesaffre celebrates 50 years of its Baking Center™ concept, with a network of 51 dedicated application centers around the world. Throughout the year, Baking Center™ teams around the world will be celebrating the anniversary with customers and partners.
Lesaffre announced a series of investments in the U.S. to strengthen its geographical footprint in the region. Lesaffre is investing in both new equipment and R&D to offer relevant solutions, while also respecting the planet’s limited resources. The company has been active in this market for 45 years, where it currently employs more than 600 people in its yeast, bacteria and baking ingredients factories, Baking Center and corporate headquarters.
Lesaffre announced it gained a minority shareholding in Yeap, a start-up specializing in functional alternative proteins. The yeast specialist made a 10% investment in Yeap’s shares to help it finalize the development of a promising new protein ingredient made from upcycled yeast.
Lesaffre announced a solar Corporate Power Purchase Agreement (CPPA) with Sun’R, a direct sale of electricity between a producer and a consumer, that will supply the group’s largest yeast plant in Marcq-en-Barœul, France.
In partnership with the Laboratory of Biology and Modelling of the Cell (LBMC, CNR /ENS Lyon), Lesaffre is working on defining transcriptomic and genomic profiles of thousands of yeast strains, by relying on advanced equipment.
Lesaffre inaugurated its first Baking Center in Jordan, at the end of November 2022. This is also the company’s 50th Baking Center. The first one opened its doors in 1974.
