Amyris, a synthetic biology company and innovator in industrial biotechnology, has acquired Ingredion’s 31 per cent stake in the RealSweet Joint Venture (JV), taking full ownership of the precision fermentation plant in Barra Bonita, Brazil. 

As part of the agreement to end the joint venture, Ingredion will have exclusive access to Amyris’ technology to manufacture and sell fermented Reb M, with Amyris earning royalties on future sales. Amyris is also completing construction of a fourth fermentation line at the Barra Bonita facility, expected to be operational in early 2026, to expand capacity and improve flexibility for producing specialty ingredients. 

"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, Chief Executive Officer, Amyris. 

"We are also delighted to announce our additional investment in capacity at Barra Bonita, which will maximize flexibility of our plant and accelerate development and commercialization of innovative and sustainable products." 

"With exclusive access to Amyris' fermented Reb M technology, we are excited about meeting the growing global demand for our comprehensive Stevia portfolio, what we call the 'perfectly sweet trifecta' of extracted, bioconverted and fermented Reb M," commented Jim Zallie, Ingredion's President and CEO. 

"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," added Nate Yates, Vice President and General Manager of Sugar Reduction and Fiber Fortification, Ingredion. 

Nate Yates, Ingredion VP of Sugar Reduction, added, “This trifecta allows us to offer natural, clean-label sugar alternatives that meet customer needs. We look forward to growing the market for fermented Reb M.”