French Industry Leaders Launch Biotech Open Platform to Drive Innovation in Precision Fermentation

French Industry Leaders Launch Biotech Open Platform to Drive Innovation in Precision Fermentation

(IN BRIEF) French industry giants Danone and Michelin, in collaboration with American start-up DMC Biotechnologies and Crédit Agricole Centre France, announce the establishment of the Biotech Open Platform. This pioneering initiative aims to accelerate the development of precision fermentation processes, crucial for producing bio-based materials on a larger scale. With an initial investment of over 16 million euros, the platform will be located in Clermont-Ferrand, fostering innovation and sustainable growth in the region.

(PRESS RELEASE) PARIS, 13-Jun-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — In a groundbreaking collaboration, major French industrial players Danone and Michelin, along with the American start-up DMC Biotechnologies and Crédit Agricole Centre France, have announced the creation of the Biotech Open Platform. This innovative initiative aims to accelerate the development of advanced fermentation processes, with a particular focus on precision fermentation, on a larger scale.

With an initial investment exceeding 16 million euros, the industrial and technological platform will be situated in Clermont-Ferrand, housed within the Parc Cataroux Center for Sustainable Materials, an innovation hub supported by Michelin. Additionally, the Biotech Open Platform enjoys support from various public and private entities, including the University of Clermont Auvergne, Greentech, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and Clermont Auvergne Métropole.

As industries seek sustainable alternatives to fossil-based resources, precision fermentation emerges as a pivotal biotechnological process. This cutting-edge technology utilizes microorganisms to produce proteins, enzymes, and other molecules crucial for industrial applications, particularly in the agri-food and materials sectors. While fundamental research has made strides, the scaling up of biotechnologies remains imperative.

The Biotech Open Platform is poised to expedite the development of precision fermentation by facilitating the scale-up of innovative products and processes already validated in laboratory settings. By 2025, the project aims to establish an initial demo-scale production line, complete with fermenters and purification equipment. Subsequent phases will see the installation of additional equipment, including a second production line, positioning the platform to cater to the scale-up requirements of its founding members and extend support to other companies navigating industrial biomanufacturing challenges.

Florent Menegaux, President of the Michelin group, expressed enthusiasm, stating, “The Michelin group is pleased to announce the creation, with its partners, of the Biotech Open Platform – a unique tool that will enhance the development of bio-sourced materials, a key challenge for the industry of tomorrow.”

Antoine de Saint-Affrique, CEO of Danone, echoed this sentiment, affirming, “At Danone, we have always been focused on investing in the future of food, and this partnership is the next step in this journey.”

Kenny Erdoes, CEO of DMC, hailed the partnership as an opportunity to accelerate product scale-up and commercialization, leveraging transformative fermentation technology.

Frédéric Baraut, CEO of Crédit Agricole Centre France, underscored the institution’s commitment to regional transformation and innovation, emphasizing the platform’s role in nurturing a burgeoning bio-based sector in Clermont-Ferrand and enhancing the region’s appeal.

In unison, these industry leaders herald the Biotech Open Platform as a catalyst for innovation, sustainability, and regional development, poised to shape the future of biomanufacturing in France and beyond.

About the Center for Sustainable Materials

The Center for Sustainable Materials is one of the four centers of Parc Cataroux, the only regeneration project of its kind in Europe dedicated to innovation in all its forms. Its aim is to develop circular supply chains with controlled impact in the field of bio-sourced or recycled materials. The Center for Sustainable Materials provides its ecosystem with its expertise and the facilities adjacent to the Michelin Cataroux site, to ensure the conditions for a successful industrial demonstrator for the startups that it hosts. Its infrastructure is funded by a property company composed of five partners: Crédit Agricole Centre France, the Michelin group, Banque des Territoires, Caisse d’Epargne Auvergne Limousin and the Puy-de-Dôme Clermont Auvergne Métropole Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

About Michelin

Michelin is building a world-leading manufacturer of life-changing composites and experiences. Pioneering engineered materials for more than 130 years, Michelin is uniquely positioned to make decisive contributions to human progress and to a more sustainable world.

Drawing on its deep know-how in polymer composites, Michelin is constantly innovating to manufacture high-quality tires and components for critical applications in demanding fields as varied as mobility, construction, aeronautics, low-carbon energies, and healthcare.

The care placed in its products and deep customer knowledge inspire Michelin to offer the finest experiences. This spans from providing data- and AI-based connected solutions for professional fleets to recommending outstanding restaurants and hotels curated by the MICHELIN Guide.

Headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand, France, Michelin is present in 175 countries and employs 132,200 people.

About Danone

Danone is a leading global food and beverage company operating in three health-focused, fast-growing and on-trend categories: Essential Dairy & Plant-Based products, Waters and Specialized Nutrition. With a long-standing mission of bringing health through food to as many people as possible, Danone aims to inspire healthier and more sustainable eating and drinking practices while committing to achieve measurable nutritional, social, societal and environment impact. Danone has defined its Renew strategy to restore growth, competitiveness, and value creation for the long-term. With almost 90,000 employees, and products sold in over 120 markets, Danone generated €27.6 billion in sales in 2023. Danone’s portfolio includes leading international brands (Actimel, Activia, Alpro, Aptamil, Danette, Danio, Danonino, evian, Nutricia, Nutrilon, Volvic, among others) as well as strong local and regional brands (including Aqua, Blédina, Bonafont, Cow & Gate, Mizone, Oikos and Silk). Listed on Euronext Paris and present on the OTCQX platform via an ADR (American Depositary Receipt) program, Danone is a component stock of leading sustainability indexes including the ones managed by Moody’s and Sustainalytics, as well as the MSCI ESG Indexes, the FTSE4Good Index Series, Bloomberg Gender Equality Index, and the Access to Nutrition Index. Danone’s ambition is to be B-Corp certified at global level in 2025.

About DMC

DMC is a US-based company that develops and produces chemicals and ingredients using precision fermentation. DMC’s proprietary technology platform Dynamic Metabolic Control™ makes fermentation more standardized, robust, and predictable.

About Crédit Agricole Centre France

Bolstered by its 2,400 employees and 230 branches, Crédit Agricole Centre France is a responsible and purpose-driven bank, that serves its 900,000 clients. Operating in Allier, Cantal, Corrèze, Creuse and Puy-de-Dôme, it is committed each day to developing its region, where it is the leading bank, and supports the creation and development of companies and initiatives that ensure sustainable local employment.

Involved over the last 20 years in investment capital, Crédit Agricole Centre France currently assists more than 50 companies with their development, transmission and external growth initiatives.

Strongly committed to fostering innovation, it also supports young, innovative companies thanks to its accelerator, the Village by CACF.

Media Contacts:

Michelin / Center for Sustainable Materials:
Pascale Audibert
pascale.audibert@michelin.com
+336 34 09 82 67

Michelin group media relations:
+ 33 1 45 66 22 22
X : @MichelinNews

Danone: 
press@danone.com

DMC Biotechnologies: 
Kathryn Sheridan
kathryn@dmcbio.com

Crédit Agricole Centre France: 
Isabelle Dugat
isabelle.dugat@ca-centrefrance.fr
+33 4 73 30 58 89

SOURCE: Michelin