Brevel and India’s Wave Group to Build 300,000-Liter Illuminated Fermentation Plant Fed by Sugar Mill Byproducts

Israeli biotech company Brevel has partnered with Indian conglomerate The Wave Group to build an illuminated fermentation plant in northern India, funded by The Wave Group and utilizing sugar mill byproducts. The joint venture facility, with a total capacity of 300,000 liters, will cost between $10 million and $15 million to construct, with production expected to begin in 18 months. The plant will grow photosynthetic microorganisms like chlorella using sugar and light in closed bioreactors, with plans to produce clean-label chlorella ingredient Purallis for nutraceuticals initially.

The Wave Group, with expertise in sugar manufacturing, will supply processing sidestreams as feedstock for fermentation. The plant, located near sugar mills to reduce transport costs, will eventually also produce plant cell cultures. The partnership aims to position the India plant as a global production hub for food ingredients and nutraceuticals, leveraging Brevel's illuminated fermentation technology and The Wave Group's manufacturing capabilities.