The alliance combines Uhde’s fermentation and downstream processing expertise in the field of lactic acid production with c-LEcta’s competence in the area of strain engineering. This combination will allow the partners to efficiently optimize and adapt existing lactic acid technology to specific customer needs. In their cooperation, which started in the beginning of 2010, Uhde and c-LEcta could already proof their technological fit and now strengthen their partnership with the new agreement.
With more than 2,000 plants to its credit, Uhde GmbH is one of the world's leading engineering companies in the design and construction of chemical, refining and other industrial plants. Uhde GmbH is expanding its expertise into the field of industrial biotechnology since 2004 with a strong focus on lactic acid.
c-LEcta is a young and innovative German biotechnology company that develops and commercializes customized enzymes and strains for industrial applications. The broad proprietary technology portfolio allows to provide efficient and sustainable biotech solutions. Dr. Marc Struhalla, Chief Executive Officer of c-LEcta GmbH, comments: “Renewable chemicals represent one of our main strategic interests. We are very excited about being able to combine our molecular engineering expertise with the competence of Uhde around lactic acid technology and the engineering, procurement & construction of industrial plants”.
Lactic acid is increasingly used for polylactic acid (PLA) production. This is one of the most interesting products beyond the commodity polymers from renewable resources which are currently in the spotlight. The annual production volume of lactic acid nowadays is already in the range of 300.000 tons and is expected to continue to grow dynamically.
Uhde GmbH
Uhde GmbH has a workforce of more than 4,900 employees worldwide and is a company in the Plant Technology business area of the ThyssenKrupp Group. The company's activities focus on the engineering and construction of chemical and other industrial plants in the following fields: fertilizers; electrolysis; gas technologies; oil, coal and residue gasification; refining technologies; organic intermediates, polymers and synthetic fibers; and also coke plant and high-pressure technologies. We also provide our customers with professional services and comprehensive solutions in all areas of industrial plant operation. Details are available at www.uhde.eu.
c-LEcta GmbH
c-LEcta is a German biotechnology company specialized on developing customized enzymes and production strains for industrial applications. Patented technologies are employed for discovery and optimization of tailor-made enzymes and microbial strains. c-LEcta’s know-how in microbiology and strain engineering allows the efficient development of production strains for protein and small-molecule products. Proprietary technologies are used for the identification of new enzymes from biodiversity and for effective enzyme engineering. More information: www.c-LEcta.com
For more information:
c-LEcta GmbH
Paula Pescador, PhD
Business Development Manager
Phone +49 341 355 21428
Fax +49 341 355 21433
paula.pescador@c-LEcta.de
Uhde GmbH
Dr. Joachim Schulze
Head of Biotechnology Division
Phone +49 341 9897 47-10
Fax +49 341 9897 46-40
joachim.schulze@thyssenkrupp.com
