VIB and AB Biotek join forces to develop superior yeast strains for bioethanol production
AB Biotek, a division of Associated British Foods, has partnered with VIB, Flanders’ leading life sciences research institute, on research collaboration and the development of core inputs within the global bioethanol industry.
The primary research focused on the development of new yeast options, including strain screening for relevant traits, improvement through breeding, evaluation and selection of subsequent hybrids and testing, and ultimately commercialization of selected strains.
"This collaboration has taken place over many years, and to officially formalize our relationship with VIB’s excellent group of fermentation scientists is a significant measure. Our collective goal is to provide new, market-leading bioethanol yeast solutions, and having the opportunity to patent new technology with our partners is immensely rewarding." - John H. Evans, PhD, vice president of innovation – yeast, AB Biotek
Recent work under the Summit commercial brand name – conducted at both VIB’s facilities at KU Leuven, Belgium and the Fleischmann’s Technology Center within AB Biotek North America’s headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri – has focused on the selection of yeast strains within a collection of more than 500 under consideration across a wide range of previous end-use segments.
"Our work with AB Biotek was very rewarding because it enabled us to exploit our joint expertise in fermentation technology and advanced yeast breeding to generate natural yeast variants that increase bioethanol yields, and as such helps us take a new step toward a more efficient production of sustainable bio-based fuels." - Kevin Verstrepen, PhD, head of the VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology
"Driving innovation in close collaboration with industry is an important mission of VIB." - Frederik Van Leemputte, PhD, Business Development Manager at VIB.