NovelYeast bv

Project Partner

Johan Thevelein

Steve Swinnen

Managing Director, steering and supervision 

Scientific Researcher, Project execution 

Description of NovelYeast

NovelYeast is a spin-off company from the research group of Em. Prof. Johan Thevelein at VIB/KU Leuven. It is an R&D company focused on a variety of applications with yeast. It aims to exploit its extensive knowledge and technical know-how with yeast research and the many industrial applications of yeast for the development and commercial implementation of superior industrial yeast strains and associated industrial processes. NovelYeast develops yeast strains and processes for the production of biofuels: ethanol and isobutanol with 1G (sugar cane, corn, wheat) and 2G (lignocellulosic biomass) feedstocks, bio-based chemicals (lactic acid, 2,3-butanediol), healthy sugar sweeteners (e.g. isomaltulose, allulose, xylitol) and protein sweeteners, alcoholic beverages, nutraceuticals, flavor compounds, ingredients for cosmetics, probiotics, plastic recycling and other applications in which yeast or yeast cell-surface expressed enzymes can be applied beneficially.

What is your task in the project LIGNOFUN?

Development of industrial yeast strains for the conversion of lignin-derived aromatics into muconic acid. 

Role, Relevance & Interfaces in the Project

The challenges are the toxicity of the lignin-derived monoaromatics and the extensive genetic engineering of the yeast required for high-efficiency conversion. Stakeholders are companies aiming at lignin valorisation. 

Contact us

Novel Yeast
Gaston Geenslaan 3,
Bio-Incubator BIO4; unit 04.300, Leuven-Heverlee,
Flemish Region 3001, Belgium

Funded

The project is supported by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking and its members. Funded by the European Union. GA ID 101214432. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CBE JU. Neither the European Union nor the CBE JU can be held responsible for them.

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