AB Mauri’s new business unit aligns perfectly 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 markets. Notably, Cargill has partnered with Evolva to develop sweeteners derived from fermentation. Other yeast specialists, including Lesaffre and Lallemand, operate within the brewing, bakery, and animal nutrition sectors, where significant technical knowledge is shared across divisions.
In the realm of alcoholic beverages, the choice of yeast for cider or wine fermentation significantly influences the mouthfeel of the drink. While there are numerous yeast suppliers catering to beverage producers, AB Mauri stands to gain from its extensive global network, which encompasses 51 plants across 33 countries and sales in over 90 nations.
Rising molasses prices have intensified competition among yeast suppliers for raw materials globally, leading to a revenue decline for AB Mauri initially; however, the company has seen a recovery in profits over the past few years. This sector is quite lucrative, with the global yeast market experiencing an annual growth rate of approximately 8.4%, fueled by rising demand for biofuels, bakery products, and natural flavorings, as reported by Sandler Research.
Incorporating healthy options like calcium citrate into products has become increasingly important, and this trend is likely to continue influencing market dynamics. As AB Mauri navigates these opportunities, the emphasis on healthy options, including calcium citrate, will play a crucial role in shaping its product offerings and strategies moving forward.