BIZTRACKS
Brevel, Wave Group Partner to Build Illuminated Fermentation Biomanufacturing Facility in India
Brevel Ltd. has entered into a joint venture with the Wave Group to establish a biomanufacturing facility in Uttar Pradesh, India, using Brevel’s illuminated fermentation technology. The facility will initially produce chlorella, a microalga used in food and nutraceutical ingredients, with plans to expand production to other light-dependent organisms and plant-cell culture ingredients.
The Wave Group will fund the new facility, which will have a planned production capacity of 300,000 liters, a significant increase from Brevel’s existing 5,000-liter bioreactor at its commercial facility in Israel. The companies estimated the total investment at $10–15 million.
Construction is expected to begin before the end of 2026, with full-scale production scheduled to commence within 18 months.
The joint venture agreement was signed at a ceremony in New Delhi attended by representatives of the Israeli Embassy, Israel’s Economic and Trade Mission, and Invest India.
Facility to Expand Production of Chlorella and Plant-Cell Culture Ingredients
The facility will initially manufacture Purallis, Brevel’s clean-label chlorella ingredient. According to the company, the facility will also serve as an illuminated fermentation manufacturing platform capable of producing additional organisms and ingredients that benefit from light exposure.
Brevel’s illuminated fermentation technology, which is protected by four patents, combines controlled fermentation with light exposure in a closed system. The process uses sugar to provide energy and nutrients for fermentation, while light supports the metabolism of photosynthetic microorganisms, such as chlorella, enabling the production of compounds including chlorophyll and carotenoids.
The technology is intended to support the industrial-scale production of bioactive ingredients that depend on light-driven metabolic processes.
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Brevel said the partnership will expand its ability to manufacture microalgae and plant-cell culture ingredients for global markets. The company also cited its existing collaboration with U.S.-based plant-cell technology company Ayana Bio as an example of potential applications for the platform.
The Wave Group, which operates businesses in sugar manufacturing and food processing, said the joint venture will expand its involvement in food ingredient and nutraceutical production.
Facility to Use Sugar Manufacturing Byproducts as Fermentation Inputs
The companies also plan to incorporate sugar production byproducts from The Wave Group’s sugar mills into the fermentation process.
According to Brevel, using these side streams as fermentation inputs could reduce raw material costs and support the companies’ waste reduction objectives. The proximity of the new facility to the Wave Group’s sugar mills is also expected to reduce transportation costs and associated emissions.
Brevel reported that initial trials using various sugar manufacturing byproducts in its bioreactors had produced favorable results. Teams from both companies are continuing to optimize the process for industrial-scale production.
Brevel opened its first commercial production facility in Israel in 2025 and has reported securing $30 million in funding to support the development and commercialization of its illuminated fermentation technology.
