Essen, Germany-based specialty chemical manufacturer Evonik has extended its partnership with Qingdao, China-based Vland Biotech, with an eye toward further developing a probiotic solution with applications to the aquaculture sector.
The deal, reached 27 June, extends a joint venture agreement signed in November 2018. The companies have been working on creating a range of probiotics and enzymes for use in enhancing animal nutrition, including for use in aquaculture.
“The combination of Vland’s core production technology and Evonik’s strong global market presence – as well as the shared focus on technology and application of probiotic solutions – is expected to bring mutual benefits to both partners, including new product developments,” the companies said in a press release.
Evonik, one of the world leaders in specialty chemicals with EUR 13.3 billion (USD 15.1 billion) in sales in 2018 and an operating profit EUR 2.15 billion (USD 2.44 billion), has worked more directly in the aquaculture sphere through a separate joint venture with Royal DSM in creating Veramaris, an algae-based additive to fish feed that contains omega-3 molecules.
“The [Vland] JDA is expected to stimulate innovation and joint R&D activities in the field of selection, production, formulation, and application of our new probiotic solution,” Emmanuel Auer, the head of Evonik’s animal nutrition business line, said in a press release. “Evonik is excited to partner with Vland in this joint initiative to develop the next probiotic solution focusing on a more sustainable, efficient and environmentally-friendly production.”
Vland Biotech has more than 1,300 employees and specializes in the research and development of four main product categories: Enzymes, probiotics, vaccines, and animal health products.
“Based on years [of] cooperation, Vland and Evonik [plan to] extend the scope [of the JV] to plant, livestock, and aquaculture in the solution of probiotics products,” Vland CEO Aron Chen said. “After [our] IPO, Vland [will] focus on R&D and globalization, and strive to become a technology-driven enterprise.”
