Lallemand Bio-Ingredients, a Canadian developer and producer of yeasts, bacteria, and enzymes for baking, foods, nutrition, alcohol, and biofuel, recently announced that its subsidiary, Danstar Ferment AG, signed an agreement to purchase Biotec BetaGlucans AS (BBG), a wholly-owned subsidiary of ArticZymes Technologies (AZT), effective Dec. 31.
 
AZT is a publicly listed company located in Tromsø, Norway. If focuses on the development, manufacturing, and commercialization of novel recombinant enzymes used in molecular research, in vitro diagnostics, and therapeutics.
 
The acquisition includes a specialized pharma and food grade production plant located in Northern Norway, and under the agreement, Lallemand will acquire all of the BBG assets and associated intellectual property, including branded portfolios such as M-Gard, SBG, M-Glucan, and Woulgan. It will assume manufacturing responsibilities for the Norway-based manufacturing facility.
 
BBG is an excellent strategic fit for Lallemand in the areas of yeast, bacteria, and other specialty ingredients, the company said.
 
“Our acquisition of the Biotec BetaGlucans business will broaden our beta-glucans product portfolio as well as our access to leading technologies within yeast-based ingredients,” Antoine Chagnon, president and CEO of Lallemand, said. “We look forward to offering our customers in both human and animal nutrition sectors innovative products from Biotec BetaGlucans. We are delighted to have secured the pharma certified Tromsø plant, our first production facility in Norway.
 
“We are delighted to divest BBG to Lallemand who is ideally suited to take over this business,” Jethro Holter, CEO of AZT, said. “AZT will subsequently become a pure enzyme company with all efforts focused toward expanding its enzymes portfolio through organic and inorganic growth initiatives.”