Tate & Lyle, Zymtronix team up on ‘revolutionary' enzyme immobilization technologies: ‘This will make our processes more efficient’
The partnership includes an investment by Tate & Lyle in Zymtronix’s ‘cutting edge’ enzyme immobilization platform.
“Tate & Lyle has invested in Zymtronix’s enzyme immobilization platform, which helps to transform ingredient manufacturing by greatly enhancing the productivity of biocatalysis – a sustainable alternative to the chemical catalysis frequently relied upon in industrial processes,” a spokesperson explained.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
‘Transforming’ ingredient manufacturing
Zymtronix’s enzyme immobilization platform helps to ‘transform’ ingredient manufacturing by improving the productivity of biocatalysis.
This is achieved through the immobilisation of enzymes onto magnetic metamaterials to increase the efficiency and sustainability of enzyme-based industrial processes.
US-based Zymtronix said the technology, which originated from Cornell University, has ‘broad applications’ in the food & beverage, flavour & fragrances, pharmaceutical, chemical and agricultural industries.
Tate & Lyle’s investment will enable Zymtronix to ‘improve and innovate’ upon its technology. The company aims to scale up the platform to support process scale production.
“[Tate & Lyle’s] investment will enable us to further scale up our enzyme immobilization technology, advance our processes, develop our own target ingredients, and grow our team,” said Stéphane Corgié, founder and CEO-CTO, Zymtronix.
Tate & Lyle: This will make our processes more efficient
As the group’s first corporate partner, Zymtronix will initially be working with Tate & Lyle to improve the use of enzymes in the production of certain ingredients. The company noted it aims to improve cost efficiency in these processes.
“Consumers worldwide are looking for healthier food and drink, and we are proud to have the ingredients to help deliver just that. Improving lives for generations is at the heart of what we do, so we are excited to harness the power of Zymtronix’s enzyme immobilization platform, which will make our manufacturing processes more efficient,” said Andrew Taylor, president of innovation and commercial development at Tate & Lyle.
“The platform also has the potential to accelerate our ability to make our ingredient solutions accessible to more consumers.”
The two companies were brought together at Rabobank’s TERRA Accelerator 2019 in San Francisco.
As part of the partnership, Tate & Lyle’s retired chief technology officer, Michael Harrison, will join Zymtronix’s board. This will provide the start-up with ‘his wealth of experience within the food and beverage ingredients market’, the company said.
