Corbion, BRAIN Biotech partner to develop new biobased antimicrobial solutions

THE NETHERLANDS – Corbion, the Amsterdam-based leader in sustainable ingredients, and BRAIN Biotech AG, headquartered in Zwingenberg, Germany, have entered into a strategic collaboration to develop novel, high-performance biobased antimicrobial compounds and their functional derivatives. 

The partnership is designed to accelerate the delivery of next-generation preservation solutions that meet food manufacturers’ evolving needs for safety, efficacy and consistency while resonating strongly with consumer demand for natural, clean-label products.

“At Corbion, advancing nature-based ingredient technologies, proving their value and scaling them for real-world applications, is essential to preserving what matters,” said Domenico Vulcano, Vice President of Global Innovation at Corbion.

Corbion, a pioneer in lactic acid, functional blends and natural preservation technologies, will contribute its advanced knowledge of food systems, intimate customer insights and industrial piloting and scale-up capabilities. 

“One way we strengthen our innovation pipeline is by partnering with experts like BRAIN Biotech. Together, we can bring paradigm-shifting breakthroughs to market faster,” Vulcano said.

With a global presence spanning multiple application areas, from food and beverages to pharmaceuticals, animal nutrition and bioplastics, Corbion is focused on enabling sustainable growth through science-driven innovation and collaboration.

BRAIN Biotech, known for its deep expertise in enzyme technology, microbial strain development and bioprocess engineering, will provide cutting-edge tools for discovering and optimizing new antimicrobial solutions. 

“We are very pleased to partner with Corbion in expanding what’s possible with sustainable, biobased solutions,” said Dr. Martin Langer, Managing Director & Executive Vice President at BRAIN Biotech.

The company operates both as a developer of high-value specialty biological products and as a technology licensor supporting global industrial partners.

“Our complementary expertise and shared vision for a healthier, more sustainable food system make this collaboration a natural fit. We expect it to deliver real impact for food manufacturers worldwide,” Langer added.

The companies expect the partnership to unlock new antimicrobial options for food producers seeking to extend shelf life, reduce waste and maintain product quality without compromising clean-label positioning. 

These developments also support broader industry trends toward replacing synthetic additives with innovative, natural and functional ingredients.

This agreement underscores both companies’ commitment to research-driven innovation, sustainability and long-term value creation, demonstrating how collaboration can accelerate the transition to safer, more responsible food preservation technologies globally.

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