Acies Bio develops proprietary microbial and synthetic biology-based platforms and technologies. It also offers contract R&D services in microbial strain engineering and fermentation for customers in key growth segments, including sustainable agriculture, functional foods and bio-based industrial chemicals.

ADM said its investment will help it more quickly advance projects in the field of precision microbial fermentation by leveraging Acies Bio’s extensive microbial capabilities and contract manufacturing services.

“Microbial technology is unlocking disruptive opportunities in sustainable agriculture, sustainable materials and fuels, and alternative proteins,” said Ian Pinner, ADM chief strategy and innovation officer. “We’re propelling growth opportunities by working with innovators who appreciate our unique combination of expertise, capacity and access to feedstocks. Now, by investing to become a minority owner in Acies Bio, we’re opening up the door to new collaboration with an innovative, complementary business to meet the growing demand for products developed via microbial fermentation.”

Enej Kuščer, Acies Bio's co-founder and director, added that the partnership with ADM “will allow Acies Bio to expand and accelerate the development of our platform technologies, which aim to replace synthetic chemicals and the often carbon-intensive production currently used in food and agriculture with microbial, bio-based products.”

In July, the Slovenian firm launched its OneCarbonBio platform that uses synthetic biology engineering techniques to transform CO₂ waste into sustainable chemicals, biodegradable plastics and ingredients for food or feed.

ADM performed the transaction through its corporate venture capital arm, ADM Ventures, which focuses on investing in start-ups with disruptive technologies across three key areas – human nutrition, animal nutrition and sustainability.

Author: Elaine Burridge, Freelance Journalist