BRAIN Group expands production capacities as demand increases

Paving the way for future growth

The BRAIN Group announces an expansion of its production capacities. The installation of new production facilities in both Büttelborn, near Darmstadt, Germany, by WeissBioTech GmbH (WBT) and in Cardiff, Wales, by Biocatalysts Ltd. lays the foundation for future growth.

  • BRAIN subsidiary WeissBioTech sets up new production facility
    in Büttelborn, near Darmstadt, Germany
  • BRAIN subsidiary Biocatalysts expands and optimizes its production capacities
  • Paving the way for future growth

The companies of the BRAIN Group form a closely knit network in the fields of R&D and production or as suppliers in specific markets. Drawing on the particular competencies of its subsidiaries, BRAIN brings its own innovative research results to market launch and commercializes existing products. By expanding its production capacities, BRAIN reinforces the strategic focus on its product business.

WeissBioTech sets up new production facility in Büttelborn

WeissBioTech GmbH (WBT) has been a part of BRAIN Group since 2014 and is a leading supplier in the field of enzymes, yeast starter cultures, natural preservation systems, and other fermentative products for the food industry and other market segments.

The building in Büttelborn, Germany where the new WeissBioTech production plant will be installed.  © F&F LandInvest GmbH
The building in Büttelborn, Germany where the new WeissBioTech production plant will be installed.
© F&F LandInvest GmbH

In order to open up capacities for further growth and to increase logistics efficiency, WBT has set up a new production facility at Büttelborn. The Büttelborn labs, where components such as enzymes, yeasts, and process adjuvants for the production of fruit and vegetable juices, wine, beer, and bioethanol are developed and manufactured, are specifically geared towards application-oriented work. The labs benefit from the local proximity to BRAIN AG and other key partners because, because for the most part the group’s research and development activities still take place at BRAIN AG’s Zwingenberg head office. The new production facility was designed in accordance with the latest ISO and food safety standards such as ISO 22000 and the FSSC system. Its size of 4,500 sq. m. means a significant expansion of WBT’s storage, production and research facilities.

The new facility was opened on December 11th, 2019 and is intended to be brought into service in early 2020. WeissBioTech will retain its head office and administrative headquarters in Ascheberg near Münster, Germany. However, the company will give up its plant in Chanteloup-en-Brie near Paris, France.

Matthias Enste, who assumed the position of Managing Director at WeissBioTech on November 1st, 2019, says: “The new building constitutes our basis for further growth. It allows us to guarantee a more efficient execution of our logistics processes since we now have our own warehouse space. The local proximity to BRAIN AG will make our cooperation even more efficacious.”

Biocatalysts expands and optimizes its production capacities

Biocatalysts Ltd., a member of the BRAIN Group since 2018, is one of Europe’s leading suppliers of specialty enzymes. The company’s portfolio includes the development of enzymes and their small- and large-scale production, ranging from kilograms to tons, as well as global distribution operations for various industries such as the food and fine chemicals sectors.

In 2019, the company made significant progress on the construction of a new production plant in Cardiff. The facility will contain leading edge technology delivering LEAN manufacturing methodology. This sixteen fold increase in Biocatalysts fermentation capacity will give seamless scale up capability from bench top to full commercial manufacturing. The facility will safeguard customer supply and enable delivery of the company growth strategy. Commissioning, site hand-over, celebratory opening events and ultimately routine manufacturing are scheduled for the near future.

Rod Sears-Black, Managing Director of Biocatalysts, says: “The new facility is key to delivery of our corporate vision of being the worlds leading speciality enzyme company and confirms Biocatalyst’s position as the complete supplier to the biotech industry.”

Ludger Roedder, Chief Business Officer at BRAIN, adds: “We draw on the specific competencies of our subsidiaries to bring our own innovative research results to market launch and to commercialize existing products. The expansion of our production capacities is a logical step on the path to commercializing our product base.”

Source

BRAIN AG, press release, 2019-12-17.

Supplier

Biocatalysts Ltd
BRAIN AG - Biotechnology Research And Information Network AG
WeissBioTech GmbH

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