Amyris, Inc., a synthetic biology company specializing in precision fermentation, has acquired Ingredion Incorporated’s 31% stake in the RealSweet joint venture, obtaining full ownership of the industrial fermentation plant located in Barra Bonita, Brazil. The decision follows a mutual agreement to dissolve the RealSweet JV, which focused on the production of fermented Reb M, a high-purity stevia sweetener.
Ingredion keeps tech rights
Under the terms of the arrangement, Ingredion retains exclusive rights to utilize Amyris’ fermentation technology for manufacturing and commercializing fermented Reb M. Amyris will receive royalties on Ingredion’s future sales of the ingredient. This arrangement separates manufacturing ownership from commercial use rights.
“Resuming full ownership and control of our state-of-the-art precision fermentation facility in Barra Bonita is an important milestone that will enable us to optimize our manufacturing portfolio to drive profitability and serve our customers most effectively,” said Kathy Fortmann, Amyris CEO. She added that the investment in additional capacity is intended to accelerate the development and commercialization of new sustainable products.
Amyris, founded on synthetic biology and precision fermentation, produces renewable and traceable ingredients used by global consumer brands. Ingredion, a global ingredient solutions provider with 2024 net sales of approximately $7.4 billion, serves food and beverage markets through its portfolio derived from grains, fruits, and vegetables.
Expansion plans underway
Amyris announced plans to complete a fourth precision fermentation line at the Barra Bonita facility, with operations expected to begin in early 2026. This expansion will increase production capacity and enhance operational flexibility for specialty ingredients.
Jim Zallie, Ingredion president and CEO, noted the company’s commitment to its Stevia portfolio, describing fermented Reb M as part of a “perfectly sweet trifecta” alongside extracted and bioconverted Stevia products. Nate Yates, Ingredion’s vice president and general manager of sugar reduction and fiber fortification, stated, “This trifecta enables us to provide nature-based, clean-label sugar-reduction solutions meeting the needs of all our customers. We look forward to continuing to grow the market for fermented RebM.”
