What are the key products or technologies that define Corbion’s business approach?
At Corbion, everything we do begins with natural and renewable raw materials from nature, such as sugarcane or corn. Our main technology is fermentation, which allows us to harness the capabilities of microorganisms like bacteria, microalgae, and yeast—that are improved using mostly traditional methods. Through fermentation, we produce specialty ingredients used in both food and non-food industries, including bioplastics. Our goal is to reduce dependency on fossil-based ingredients and even animal-based resources, such as fish oil, with sustainable alternatives.
Our business is aligned with a mission to reduce waste and foster sustainability. Waste, particularly in the food industry, is a significant source of CO2 emissions, so a big part of what we do is aimed at waste reduction. Whether it’s extending the shelf life of food products or creating natural preservatives, our focus is always on minimizing waste while ensuring food safety. We are also active in bioplastics and have made breakthroughs, such as using microalgae Omega-3 ingredients, which helps prevent overfishing while still providing essential nutrients like omega-3 DHA. All of our efforts are tied to three Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Zero Hunger, Good Health and Well-Being, and Responsible Consumption and Production.
How do Corbion’s bio-based solutions differ from traditional petrochemical-based solutions?
There is still a heavy reliance on petrochemical-based products across many industries, often without consumers even realizing it. For example, in the food industry, where we focus on natural preservation, anti-molding agents in bread are typically fossil-based, even in places like Italy, France, and the U.S.
Our goal is to advance natural alternatives, ensuring that consumers can enjoy fossil-free, label-friendly products without compromising functionality—like preventing mold from growing on bread.
Consumer awareness of these issues is improving, especially among younger generations who are more health- and climate-conscious. This shift is pushing demand for clean-label and natural products. For example, we provide solutions that allow food manufacturers to replace nitrites, which are linked to colon cancer, with natural fermentation alternatives. This not only promotes healthier food options but also aligns with growing consumer demand for transparency and cleaner ingredients. As a company, we’re committed to educating both customers and consumers about these benefits and helping them transition to more sustainable, bio-based solutions.
How does Corbion's innovation improve health, particularly in areas like fish farming and food preservation?
Let’s take fish farming as an example. Many of us consume more fish than ever, particularly farmed fish, since wild fish populations can’t meet global demand. The issue with farmed fish is that the oil used to feed them, rich in omega-3s, comes from wild fish.. In fact, 1.4 tons of wild fish are needed to produce just one ton of farmed fish. This is unsustainable, and what’s more, farmed fish typically contain only 4-5% omega-3s compared to 10-15% in wild fish, meaning consumers aren’t getting the full health benefits.
Corbion’s solution is to replace fish oil with microalgae, which mimics the natural process found in the ocean. This not only helps prevent overfishing but also increases the omega-3 content in farmed fish, making it healthier for human consumption. Another example is in food preservation: traditionally, sodium has been used to preserve food, but it’s a major contributor to cardiovascular diseases. We offer natural fermentation-based solutions that replace sodium with healthier alternatives like potassium, helping manufacturers reduce sodium levels in foods by up to 40%.
How do Corbion’s bio-based solutions address hidden chemicals in processed foods?
Many processed foods contain chemicals that most consumers aren’t aware of, particularly in ready meals, fast food, or functional drinks. For instance, potassium sorbate, commonly found in beverages, are fossil-based. Even foods marketed as healthy, like smoothies with fruit and vegetables, often contain these chemicals. At Corbion, we offer natural alternatives to these fossil-based ingredients, but educating both consumers and manufacturers about these options is critical.
While natural alternatives are often more expensive, we believe that educating consumers to make better choices is key. Buying less but choosing higher-quality, healthier options is becoming a priority for many people. Regulators are also increasingly supporting healthier, bio-based products, which aligns with our mission to replace harmful, fossil-based ingredients with safer, more sustainable options.
How does Corbion ensure the sustainability of its agricultural supply chains in the face of global challenges?
Sustainability is central to our business model, and given that we rely on agricultural inputs, it’s crucial for us to manage our supply chains responsibly. One major source of CO2 emissions globally is freight, so to minimize our carbon footprint, we position our production facilities close to the raw material sources. For example, in Europe, we use wheat or sugar beet, in the U.S., corn, and in Brazil, sugarcane. By manufacturing close to the source, we reduce the need for long-distance shipping and the emissions associated with it.
Additionally, fermentation technology allows us to maximize the use of agricultural resources. For instance, our microalgae production process in Brazil uses sugar from sugarcane to grow algae, this process also requires minimal water, as it recirculates most of it, either internally at Corbion or back to the cane farming, making it highly efficient. Beyond that, we ensure that all the sugar we use in Brazil is sourced from areas free of deforestation, utilizing satellite technology to verify that none of our supply comes from deforested regions.
How does Corbion minimize its environmental impact in production processes?
We focus on maximizing the efficiency of our production processes, ensuring that as the best possible environmental performance. For example, in our microalgae operations in Brazil, we use sugarcane as the feedstock. and The sugarcane's by-stream material, known as bagasse, is used to generate energy in the sugar mill, next to our fermentation plant, even generating an electricity surplus to the grid. This creates a nearly closed-loop system where the CO2 emitted is absorbed by the next crop. Additionally, our lactic acid produced by our new, first-of-its-kind facility in Thailand will have the lowest associated carbon footprint compared to any manufacturing technologies currently used.
We also prioritize the use of sustainable crop production and closely monitor our water usage. While fermentation processes use significant amounts of water, we recycle a large portion of it and continually work toward fully closed-loop water systems. Ensuring that we source our materials sustainably and efficiently is key to minimizing our overall environmental footprint while maintaining the highest levels of production efficiency.
