Danone, Michelin, DMC Biotechnologies and Crédit Agricole Centre France have partnered to create the Biotech Open Platform to advance large-scale precision fermentation for bio-based materials and ingredients.

The platform, which has an initial investment of over €16 million, will be situated in Clermont-Ferrand, France, within the sustainable materials centre of Parc Cataroux, an innovation hub established by Michelin. The initiative is also supported by several institutions, including the University of Clermont Auvergne, Greentech, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region, the European Regional Development Fund and Clermont Auvergne Métropole.

The Biotech Open Platform aims to accelerate precision fermentation development by scaling up lab-tested innovative products and processes. By 2025, the project plans to install a demo-scale production line, including a fermenter and purification equipment, with additional equipment and a second production line to follow. This expansion will support the founders' scale-up needs and eventually assist other companies in the industrial biomanufacturing sector.

Florent Menegaux, president of Michelin, said: “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. Located in Auvergne, it exemplifies Michelin’s unflagging commitment to developing innovation and the regions where the Group operates."

Antoine de Saint-Affrique, CEO of Danone: “At Danone, we have always been focused on investing in the future of food, and this partnership is the next step in this journey. We look forward to working with our partners to develop cutting-edge fermentation technologies which will accelerate innovation, health benefits and decarbonization in the food industry. We are proud to be part of this collective effort and to strengthen our contribution to meet the challenges facing the industry today."

Kenny Erdoes, CEO of DMC, commented: “We are enthusiastic about this new partnership with companies that are at the heart of French life. For us, as an American start-up, the development of the new Biotech Open Platform will enable us to accelerate the scale-up and commercialisation of new products leveraging our transformative fermentation technology."

Frédéric Baraut, CEO of Crédit Agricole Centre France: “Crédit Agricole Centre France is taking steps to support transformation and innovation in the region. By contributing to the Biotech Open Platform, we are helping to develop a new bio-based sector based in Clermont-Ferrand and also adding to the value and the attractiveness of the region. This will also help provide opportunities and synergies to the start-ups in our Innovation Village, also in the Parc Cataroux.”

Top image: ©Michelin

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