Active ingredients specialist Silab has opened a new biotechnology laboratory whose size is said to better meet high demand.
The new facility launches one year after the commissioning of a second industrial line by Silab, which quadrupled its production of yeasts, microalgae and bacteria.
“This new facility was necessary to support the growing activity generated by increased customer demand for biotechnology products,” said Xavier Gaillard, Deputy General Manager for Strategy at Silab.
“It is part of a global programme of €9m invested over the last three years in biotechnologies, alongside industrial projects.”
The Saint-Viance, France-based company said the move would enable it to increase its production of natural active ingredients of biotech origin, which currently represents 20% of its portfolio.
“We chose to make biotechnologies a major strategic development axis from very early on, as we believe they represent a powerful innovation lever,” added Silab’s Deputy General Manager for Innovation, Brigitte Closs-Gonthier.
“Indeed, microorganisms are so diversified that they open up an immense field of possibilities.
“Biomimetic approaches also make it possible to develop new processes, such as bioguiding.”
She continued: “This is an area where much remains to be discovered. It offers tremendous prospects for the development of new innovative active molecules.”
