German chemical and biotech giant BASF has invested in Chinese biotech start-up Bota Biosciences (Bota Bio), the company announced on 16 March.
Founded in 2019, Bota Bio is an industrial synthetic biotech company, which uses ‘white biotechnology’ or living cells and enzymes to develop and manufacture products for a range of industrial applications including personal care and crop protection.
BASF uses fermentation and biocatalysis to manufacture products such as vitamins and enzymes and is working on processes that use “white biotechnology” for the production of chemical building blocks from renewable raw materials such as sugar and plant oils.
“With our investment in this promising young company, we are strengthening BASF’s activities related to sustainability and enhancing the group’s potential for innovation in the dynamic Asian markets,” said BVC managing director Markus Solibieda.
Bota Bio said it would use the investment to expand its development and production capabilities.
“We welcome this support in scaling up our processes and launching new products,” said Bota Bio CEO Cheryl Cui.
BASF’s portfolio is organised into six segments: chemicals; materials; industrial solutions; surface technologies; nutrition & care and agricultural solutions.
