WACKER expands into EU pet‑food additives with fermented L‑cysteine and L‑cystine
- European Commission approved L‑cystine and L‑cysteine derived from fermented L‑cystine as sensory additives for all animal species.
- Approval followed a positive safety assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
- FERMOPURE® range uses plant‑based glucose fermentation (E. coli strain) to make L‑cystine; L‑cysteine is produced by electrochemical reduction of L‑cystine.
- Global pet‑food market: $145.2bn in 2025; projected to grow from $152.1bn in 2026 to $259bn by 2035; European market valued at $43.2bn in 2025.
Regulatory status
The European Commission approved WACKER's L‑cystine and L‑cysteine (derived from fermented L‑cystine) as sensory additives for all animal species after a positive EFSA safety assessment, giving pet‑food manufacturers a clear regulatory framework for these ingredients in Europe.
Products and use
WACKER is rolling its FERMOPURE® VEGAN L‑CYSTEINE and FERMOPURE® NATURAL L‑CYSTINE into pet‑food applications; the amino acids act as flavor precursors via the Maillard reaction, deliver meaty/savory notes at low doses, and are suitable for liquids, chews, tablets and powders. The approval specifically covers FERMOPURE® NATURAL L‑CYSTINE PET FOOD and FERMOPURE® VEGAN L‑CYSTEINE PET FOOD variants: L‑cysteine hydrochloride monohydrate, L‑cysteine hydrochloride monohydrate 20 mesh, L‑cysteine hydrochloride anhydrous, and L‑cysteine free base.
Manufacturing route
FERMOPURE® ingredients are produced by fermentation on plant‑based glucose using a production strain of E. coli to generate L‑cystine, which is purified; L‑cystine is then reduced to L‑cysteine by electrolysis. The process avoids animal‑based raw materials and offers a biotechnological alternative to conventional sources.
Market context
WACKER, the largest Western manufacturer of L‑cysteine and L‑cystine, has supplied pet‑food ingredients in the U.S. for over ten years and now secures a European supply path as demand rises in a market sized $145.2bn in 2025, with Europe at $43.2bn.
Source: WACKER
