CJ BIO, a division of South Korea-based CJ CheilJedang and leading producer of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), and NatureWorks, an advanced materials company that is the world’s leading producer of polylactic acid (PLA), have signed a letter of intent (LOI) establishing a strategic alignment between the two organizations and have announced that the two companies are working toward a Master Collaboration Agreement (MCA). The companies will work together to develop sustainable materials solutions based on CJ BIO’s PHACT® Marine Biodegradable Polymers and NatureWorks’ Ingeo™ biomaterials technology.

CJ BIO has introduced PHACT® Marine Biodegradable Polymers based on its proprietary polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) technology. Being a part of the solution to change the trajectory of the plastic pollution challenge and preserving the planet is the essence of the PHACT brand. PHACT means (PHA + Act) and CJ Bio is committed to impactful action delivering eco-friendly solutions with their extensive PHA technology platform.

CJ BIO, a division of South Korea-based CJ CheilJedang, announced that it has begun manufacturing polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) at a newly commissioned facility located in Pasuruan, Indonesia. CJ BIO, the global leader in fermentation capacity with world-scale businesses in both animal and human nutrition, is using this new facility to enter the biomaterials sector with the goal of creating opportunities to reduce the impact of manufactured plastics on global waste streams and the environment.

CJ Bioscience, a biotechnology subsidiary of CJ CheilJedang, has been officially launched with its eyes set on becoming a global leader in the microbiome sector, the Korean food giant said Wednesday. The establishment of the biotechnology firm is part of CJ Group Chairman Lee Jay-hyun’s earlier pledge to strengthen the group’s wellness business, one of the four growth engines he had vowed to cultivate for the future.

The country’s No. 1 food company, CJ CheilJedang, is gearing up to introduce a new biotechnology brand next month. The brand, CJ Bioscience, will offer products and services in the field of red biotechnology involving therapeutic and pharmaceutical applications. It is part of CJ Group Chairman Lee Jay-hyun’s plan to boost its “wellness” business, which is one of the four growth engines he aims to cultivate over the next three years.

South Korea’s food to entertainment conglomerate CJ Group will acquire a controlling stake in an up-and-coming Dutch biotechnology company for 267.7 billion won ($221 million) to add cell and gene therapy and vaccine capacity to its bio portfolio being groomed for next growth.

CJ BIO is helping plant-based food manufacturers meet demand for clean labeling and natural ingredients with FlavorNrich, which it calls the “world’s first natural cysteine.” Cysteine is an essential ingredient for creating a meat-like flavor in animal-free products. One of 20 amino acids, it is a key precursor for creating a savory flavor through the Maillard reaction. FlavorNrich may be used to create meat-like flavors in a range of plant-based alternatives as well as broths, sauces and other animal-free applications.

The Honor Flight sends veterans to Washington, D.C. to view their war memorials. CJ Bio America showed its support for the cause by donating $30,000 to the Honor Flight program. CJ Bio America is also funding a Korean War monument that will be placed at Veterans Memorial Park.

The CJ Group plans to reenter the biopharmaceutical business by acquiring Chunlab three years after selling CJ Healthcare to Kolmar Korea. Chunlab, a company established in 2009 by Professor Chun Jong-sik of Seoul National University, specializes in the research and development of microbiome, a combination of microbe and biome referring to the trillions of microorganisms and their genes in the human body.

Few companies in the Fort Dodge region have experienced the type of growth seen at CJ Bio America. Nine years ago the company invested over $320 million in its Webster County plant, which produces an amino acid called lysine. Now another expansion is planned. CJ will invest about $20 million to increase production of threonine. The project, called G2, will create about 25 new jobs, bringing the total number of employees up to about 250.