The Group

Research & development

Research and development plays a key part in Lesaffre’s strategy

Research and development is a major component of Lesaffre innovation strategy.
A dedicated R&D division was set up in 1965, and this today includes more than 100 experienced researchers, 50 per cent of whom are executive staff.  This multidisciplinary team works closely with some 60 universities and international research centres.
The R&D division’s activities are chiefly focused on yeast and its constituent parts, ranging from basic research through to the application of various products in bread-making, brewing, winemaking, ethanol, or human, animal and plant health and nutrition.
The group’s projects require multidisciplinary skills ranging from genetics through to process engineering, not forgetting microbiology, fermentation, chemical engineering, analytical chemistry and the food sciences.  All of these activities draw heavily upon the company’s extensive technology watch and scientific activities, making constant use of global databases.
 

The activities of the R&D division:

• Constantly improving the production processes and quality of existing products,
• Developing innovative products in response to clients’ needs,
• Studying new applications for Lesaffre’s technologies and products in emerging fields (such as nutrition, health and bioenergy, etc.).

Lesaffre is a PROJECT FUTUROL partner. This project aims to develop and validate a process of ethanol production by biological means, via a second-generation process, from lignocellulose, a by-product of agricultural, forestry, waste products or dedicated biomass.
Lesaffre brings its expertise to the selection, use and production of yeast, notably leading the Research & Development seeking to obtain and provide yeast strains offering the highest performance possible in the second-generation bioethanol production process that will be developed. Lesaffre is also financially contributing to the construction of the planned industrial prototype.

http://www.projet-futurol.com/index-uk.php