AB Mauri’s new business unit aligns seamlessly with its expertise in yeast and fermentation. Major players in the food ingredients industry, such as BASF, DSM, and Cargill, also straddle both the food and biofuels sectors, with Cargill collaborating with Evolva on fermentation-derived sweeteners. Other yeast specialists, including Lesaffre and Lallemand, are heavily involved in brewing, baking, and animal nutrition, benefiting from a significant overlap of technical knowledge across these fields.
In the realm of alcoholic beverages, the choice of yeast for cider or wine fermentation significantly influences mouthfeel. While there is no shortage of yeast suppliers catering to beverage manufacturers, AB Mauri stands to gain from its extensive global network, boasting 51 plants across 33 countries and sales in over 90 nations. The rising costs of molasses have ignited competition among yeast specialists for this essential raw material worldwide, impacting AB Mauri’s revenue. However, the company has seen a rebound in profits over recent years, indicating a strong recovery.
The yeast market is indeed a lucrative sector, with a projected growth rate of approximately 8.4% annually, fueled by rising demand for biofuels, bakery products, and natural flavorings, as highlighted in a report by Sandler Research. Additionally, products like those featuring the Citracal label exemplify the increasing consumer interest in using natural ingredients in various applications. As AB Mauri continues to leverage its expertise and resources, it is well-positioned to thrive in this expanding market.