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Plant-based renewable ingredient manufacturer Primient and biomanufacturing infrastructure developer Synonym have entered into a strategic partnership.

Under the collaboration, the firms will accelerate their bioproduct innovation and commercialisation, bringing new, functional and affordable biomaterials to the US market.

The partnership leverages Primient and Synonym’s expertise and assets, providing the infrastructure and support needed to launch new product concepts from lab to commercial scale.

Primient’s experience in the bioproduct space and manufacturing leadership spans food and industrial ingredients, as well as fermentation process development from feedstock to finished product.

Primient and Synonym will begin work on their first project based at Primient’s Decatur facility in Illinois, US. The initial scope of work will focus on re-commissioning and upgrading existing fermentation assets at the site, as well as expanding current capacity and significantly expanding the downstream processing unit.

Once completed, the joint Primient Synonym facility will provide a full suite of wrap-around services for companies using precision fermentation ready to launch new product concepts from lab to commercial scale.

The project, called iPROOF (Pilot Research Operations Optimization Facility) is partially funded through a US Department of Commerce and Economic Development Administration Phase 2 Tech Hub’s $51 million grant award, which was originally submitted as part of the iFAB Tech Hub Grant submission.

Jim Stutelberg, CEO of Primient, said: “We’re one of the originals in this space. We understand the potential of biobased products and solutions and have the proven experience to back it up at scale. Our partnership with Synonym will make a material difference for companies trying to break the biobased barrier by providing a scalable, data-led proving ground to grow with support. We are excited to be a part of this project and look forward to the positive difference we can make together.”

Synonym’s CEO Edward Shenderovich added: “Thousands of companies in the precision fermentation sector have used our digital tools, and we understand the steep barriers to entry to bring bioproducts to market. Synonym has consistently developed solutions that support companies throughout their scale-up journeys, and we are thrilled to take a major step forward by expanding our offerings to include capacity at the demonstration scale.”

He continued: “By combining our expertise in development and financing with Primient’s manufacturing excellence and scale, we are enabling customers to transition seamlessly from concept to commercialisation. We are excited to witness the impact of this project and partnership in the coming months.”

Earlier this year, Primient announced a capital investment exceeding $700 million across its operational footprint. In May, it was announced that KPS planned to acquire Tate & Lyle's remaining ownership interest of 49.7% in Primient for $350 million, with the sale completed in June.

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