WACKER and BENEO Partner to Bring 2’-Fucosyllactose (2’-FL) to European Market for Infant Nutrition

WACKER and BENEO Partner to Bring 2’-Fucosyllactose (2’-FL) to European Market for Infant Nutrition

(IN BRIEF) WACKER and BENEO have launched 2’-Fucosyllactose (2’-FL), a human milk oligosaccharide (HMO), for early-life nutrition. Available initially in Europe, this product is part of a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing the availability of HMOs in the market. The product is produced in Europe using precision fermentation, and it supports the development of healthy gut microbiota and immune systems in infants. The market for HMOs is projected to grow significantly over the next decade, with increasing demand for infant formulas containing HMOs.

(PRESS RELEASE) MUNICH, 19-May-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — WACKER, a European leader in biotechnology solutions, and BENEO, a global manufacturer of functional ingredients for food, feed, and pharma, are proud to announce the global launch of the human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) 2’-Fucosyllactose (2’-FL). This breakthrough product will first be available to the European market in the coming weeks, marking the successful result of their global strategic partnership aimed at enhancing early-life nutrition. 2’-FL, the predominant and most extensively studied HMO, will significantly increase the availability of HMOs for infant formula manufacturers, ensuring both supply security and high product quality.

2’-FL, found naturally in breast milk, belongs to a group of complex, indigestible carbohydrates, essential for infant development. These HMOs help support the growth of a healthy gut microbiota, strengthen immune systems, and contribute to metabolic health and neurodevelopment. By closely resembling the composition of breast milk, 2’-FL plays a crucial role in enabling infant formulas to achieve the gold standard in early-life nutrition.

The production of 2’-FL will take place in Europe, where WACKER will utilize precision fermentation with a patented strain to produce the HMO. BENEO will be responsible for the commercialization of 2’-FL, bringing its extensive knowledge in scientific research and the global market for infant nutrition to the partnership.

Olivier Roques, CEO of BENEO, commented: “The launch of 2’-FL complements our portfolio of proven prebiotics and offers exciting possibilities for effective combinations, particularly in infant nutrition. We are excited to partner with WACKER, whose expertise in biotechnology will be invaluable as we introduce this new product to the market.”

Mathias Wiedemann, President of WACKER Biosolutions, added: “This collaboration merges WACKER’s biotech production capabilities with BENEO’s market knowledge, positioning us to meet the increasing demand for HMOs in the infant nutrition sector.”

The global market for HMOs is expected to grow substantially, from USD 180 million in 2022 to nearly USD 900 million by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 17%. This growth is driven by the rising number of infant formula products incorporating HMOs, which increased from 4% in 2018 to 20% in 2023.

About BENEO

BENEO has long-term experience in developing and producing plant-based functional ingredients from natural sources for the food, feed and pharmaceutical industries. By supporting health and optimizing taste and texture, they help improve the nutritional and technical properties of a wide variety of products.

Through a unique chain of expertise, BENEO offers customers advice and inspiration on new product ideas that support a healthy lifestyle in a holistic way. This includes the BENEO-Institute that provides decisive insights into nutrition science and legislation, and the BENEO-Technology Center that consults in application technology.

Formed in 2007, BENEO is active in over 80 countries, employs more than 1000 people and has six state-of-the-art production sites in Belgium, Chile, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands that deliver high-quality ingredients at all times.

For further information on BENEO and its ingredients, please visit: www.beneo.com and www.beneo.com/news or follow BENEO on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/beneo

About WACKER Biosolutions

Based on advanced biotech processes, WACKER Biosolutions, the WACKER Group’s life sciences division, offers tailored and innovative solutions and products for the life science sector, including pharmaceutical proteins, cyclodextrins and fermentation-generated L-cysteine. The portfolio is additionally complemented with catalog chemicals such as acetylacetone. The division focuses on solutions for growth sectors, such as food ingredients, pharmaceutical actives and agrochemicals. For further information, visit wacker.com.

Media Contacts:

Wacker Chemie AG
Media Relations
Dr. Karsten Werth
Tel. +49 89 6279-1573

BENEO (press)
Jo Kent at SEC Newgate
Tel: +44 (0)203 757 6800
beneo@secnewgate.co.uk

Inga Heinemann
Head of Corporate Communication, BENEO
Tel: +49 621 421 179
Inga.Heinemann@beneo.com

SOURCE: Wacker Chemie AG