- WACKER invests €30 million to modernize the León fermentation plant.
- The acquisition includes an 800 m3 fermentation capacity.
- 35 new jobs will be created at the site.
- The transaction is expected to close by year-end.
Acquisition and Investment
WACKER BIOSOLUTIONS, the life sciences and biotechnology division of the WACKER Group, has acquired a large-scale fermentation plant from Antibióticos de León SLU (ADL) in Spain. The Munich-based company plans to invest approximately €30 million to modernize the existing facility and add production equipment over the next few years. This investment will create around 35 new jobs at the León site. The transaction is expected to close by the end of the year.
Production Capacity
The acquisition includes a production line with a fermentation capacity of 800 m3. WACKER will use this facility to produce cysteine by fermentation, which will be utilized in food and pharmaceutical products. This strategic move aims to meet the growing global demand for cysteine and support the commercialization of other bioengineered products.
Strategic Importance
According to Auguste Willems of WACKER’s Executive Board, this acquisition is crucial for strengthening WACKER's position as a global market and technology leader in fermentation-generated cysteine. The project aligns with the company's strategy to increase the proportion of specialty products in its portfolio, thereby driving profitable growth.
Product Applications
Cysteine is a natural amino acid used in various sectors, including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food. It is employed in producing flavorings, breaking down gluten in bakery goods, acting as a radical scavenger in cosmetics, and serving as an expectorant in cough medicines. Unlike conventional methods that extract cysteine from human or animal sources, WACKER uses a patented biotech process to produce cysteine through fermentation, making it entirely vegetarian and free from contamination risks associated with animal or human pathogens.
