NovelYeast is an R&D company with world-leading expertise in the design and development of superior industrial yeast strains.
Our superior yeast strains for bioethanol and isobutanol production support the transition to a more sustainable bio-based economy in the sectors of automobile and aviation transport. Superior yeast strains for production of bio-based chemicals support reduction of carbon dioxide output and combat ecological challenges. A healthier life style and combating the challenges of diabetes and obesity are supported by superior yeast strains that can make the production of healthy sugar sweeteners cheaper and more accessible for a broader range of consumers and patients.
NovelYeast is a spin-off company from the research group of Prof. Johan Thevelein at VIB/KU Leuven. It is an R&D company focused on a variety of applications with yeast. It aims to exploit its extensive knowledge and technical know-how with yeast research and the many industrial applications of yeast for the development and commercial implementation of superior industrial yeast strains and associated industrial processes.
NovelYeast develops yeast strains for the production of biofuels: ethanol and isobutanol with 1G (sugar cane, corn, wheat) and 2G (lignocellulosic biomass) feedstocks, bio-based chemicals (lactic acid, 2,3-butanediol), healthy sugar (e.g. isomaltulose, xylitol) and protein sweeteners, alcoholic beverages, nutraceuticals, flavor compounds, probiotics, plastic recycling and other applications in which yeast or yeast cell-wall attached enzymes can be applied beneficially
A first major focus of the company is the development of 2G yeasts for production of ethanol (Cellusec®) and isobutanol that secrete all major cellulolytic enzymes, in combination with development of on-site cellulolytic enzyme generation to establish simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF), and minimize enzyme costs.
A second major focus of the company is the development of specifically engineered yeast strains for the production of several healthy sugar and protein sweeteners with pure sugar feedstocks and with side streams from the food industry.
