Kemin Industries, a global ingredient manufacturer, announced its acquisition of CJ Youtell Biotech, the enzymes and fermentation subsidiary of CJ Bio. This strategic move strengthens Kemin’s position as a worldwide leader in enzyme innovation across multiple industries.
With this acquisition, Kemin gains full ownership of CJ Youtell’s fermentation plants and enzyme product portfolio. CJ Youtell offers a world-class fermentation platform, including strategically located plants in Shandong and Hunan, China. These assets will expand Kemin’s enzyme business and enable the delivery of high-performance, sustainable enzyme solutions globally.
Dr. Chris Nelson, President and CEO of Kemin Industries, said, “We are pleased to welcome CJ Youtell into the Kemin family. This acquisition is a bold step in our strategy to provide cutting-edge fermentation solutions to our customers. It enhances our expertise and commitment to supply innovative enzyme ingredients across industries worldwide.”
The new facilities in China support Kemin’s growth in R&D, with laboratories and technical teams specializing in bioengineering, biochemistry, and enzyme formulation. This integration will help optimize production costs, reduce supply chain risks, and improve the competitiveness of enzyme solutions in various markets.
Michelle Lim, President of Kemin Enzymes, added, “The acquisition of CJ Youtell significantly expands our enzyme capabilities. For over 40 years, Kemin has formulated enzyme solutions for multiple industries. Now, with CJ Youtell’s fermentation expertise, we offer customers a fully integrated solution—from strain development and manufacturing to formulation and application support.”
This integration builds on Kemin’s extensive enzyme experience, creating a seamless end-to-end offering for customers. By combining proprietary fermentation with advanced formulation and technical support, Kemin can deliver tailored, high-performing enzyme technologies.
