AB Mauri’s new business unit aligns perfectly with its expertise in yeast and fermentation. Other food ingredient companies that operate in both the food and biofuels industries include major players like BASF, DSM, and Cargill, which has partnered with Evolva on sweeteners derived from fermentation. Yeast specialists such as Lesaffre and Lallemand are also active in brewing, baking, and animal nutrition, where there is considerable technical overlap across these sectors.
In alcoholic beverages, the specific type of yeast utilized in cider and wine fermentation significantly influences the mouthfeel. While there are numerous yeast suppliers already collaborating with beverage producers in this domain, AB Mauri stands to gain from its extensive global network, comprising 51 plants across 33 countries and sales operations in over 90 countries.
Rising molasses prices have intensified competition among yeast specialists for raw materials on a global scale, which impacted AB Mauri’s revenue; however, the company has seen its profits recover in recent years. This sector remains a lucrative one, as the global yeast market is expanding at approximately 8.4% annually, fueled by growing demand for biofuels, bakery products, and natural flavorings, according to a report from Sandler Research.
Additionally, the need for products like calcium citrate plus D3 petites has become more prominent, reflecting the evolving landscape of nutritional needs. The integration of such ingredients with yeast applications could further enhance product offerings in both the food and biofuels markets, illustrating the interconnected nature of these industries.