The research on Angel Yeast
Student:
Li Xiaoyue, Fan Yu
Division of labor
Li Xiaoyue (HP communication, research planning, Photo record);
Fan Yu (Project introduction, experiment communication);
Place:
Yichang, Angel yeast Co., LTD
Meaning
The focus of this research lies in enterprise investigation. The members of the research team conducted a comprehensive visit to Angel Yeast Co., LTD, aiming to acquire an in-depth understanding of the company and draw insights from its experiences, thereby enhancing the relevant design of the competition project.
Company profile
Angel Yeast Co., Ltd., founded in 1986 and headquartered in Yichang City, Hubei Province, is a leading national high-tech enterprise specializing in the research, development, production, and sales of yeast and its derivatives. It has established itself as the largest yeast company in Asia and ranks second globally.
With fermentation engineering and enzyme engineering as its core technologies, the company focuses on advancing four key biotechnology industries: microbial and cell culture media, enzymes and catalytic products, bio-based materials, and biotechnology services.
In the field of synthetic biology, Angel Yeast boasts a comprehensive multi-carbon source fermentation system with an impressive total capacity of 370,000 tons. The company operates 12 yeast factories both domestically and internationally; among them is a cutting-edge enzyme preparation factory located in Yichang with a capacity of 5,000 tons that facilitates rapid scale-up trials for synthetic biology-related products. Currently aiming to establish a million-ton-level hydrolyzed sugar carbon source manufacturing base equipped with fully independent plant nitrogen sources such as vegetable sources,yeast sources,and animal sources,the company strives to become China's premier supplier of organic nitrogen sources for yeast production. By providing standardized,stabilized,safe,and traceable high-quality organic nitrogen sources along with efficient technical solutions for microbial fermentationand cell culture,the company's offerings find extensive applications across various sectors including baking,brewing ,food seasoning,biochemical industry,and more.Their global sales network ensures widespread market coverage.
Research content
(1) Explore the R&D lab：We were given a tour of Angel Yeast's research and development laboratory, where we gained insights into the yeast production process, research and development procedures, and laboratory safety protocols.
(2) Visited Yeast Museum: Under the guidance of company staff, we had the opportunity to visit the Yeast Museum established by Angel Yeast Company. Throughout our visit, we acquired in-depth knowledge about the enterprise's history, market strategy, technological innovation, and corporate culture. Additionally, we engaged in a comprehensive discussion with the staff regarding our team's project for the iGEM competition.
Research findings
Our research reveals that Angel Yeast has emerged as a leading player in China's yeast industry, primarily attributed to its robust research and development capabilities, stringent quality control measures, continuous enhancement of brand influence, and extensive market network. The company's technological innovation has attained international excellence while consistently expanding its market share. With regard to product research and development, we have made the following discoveries:
1. The analysis of core competitiveness
(1) Placing significant emphasis on technological innovation: Angel Yeast places great importance on technological research and development, boasting a national enterprise technology center, postdoctoral research workstation, and other research and development platforms that provide robust capabilities for research and development.
(2) Exercising stringent control over product quality: The company exercises rigorous control over the quality of its products. All products meet national standards, with some even surpassing international benchmarks.
(3) Brand influence: Angel Yeast enjoys a strong brand presence with high levels of recognition. Its market share has consistently grown year after year, positioning it as a leading player in China's yeast industry.
(4) Extensive market network: The company possesses an extensive sales network encompassing both domestic and international markets. Additionally, it has established strategic partnerships with several renowned enterprises.
2.The trend of industry development
In the research, we discovered that the yeast industry is experiencing continuous market demand growth, while simultaneously undergoing a transformation towards high-end, environmentally friendly, and intelligent solutions. Moreover, domestic enterprises are actively expanding their international market presence during this development process to enhance their brand's global competitiveness.
3. Analysis of synthetic biology prospects
In 2022, Angel Yeast and Beijing Microconstruct Biotechnology Co., Ltd., a globally renowned synthetic biology technology company, officially signed a collaboration agreement. The two parties established a joint venture named "MicroAngel Bio" to jointly drive the industrialization of synthetic biology technology and initiate the construction of a 30,000-ton annual production facility for PHA in Yichang, Hubei Province.
Hubei Weiqi Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Weiqi Bio") was established in 2022 and is registered in the Hubei Synthetic Biology Industrial Park. The company focuses on innovative research in the field of synthetic biology, with a strong emphasis on cultivating and developing emerging biotechnology industries. It provides comprehensive support for the transformation of scientific and technological achievements through its research and development team, platform, and facilities.
Weiqi Bio is currently constructing a production line capable of annually producing 30,000 tons of synthetic bio-based PHA biodegradable materials. This project represents China's largest-scale PHA production line under construction and ranks third globally after Japan's Kaneka and the United States' Danimer Scientific. Utilizing halophilic bacteria as host cells to synthesize bio-based PHA materials, this project achieves world-leading capabilities in producing various types of PHAs.
The production line will have the ability to manufacture multiple types of PHA products, making it the most diverse worldwide for this type of material. In the future, Weiqi Bio aims to produce bio-based materials that meet various needs including food packaging, medical aesthetics, plastic cutlery, bio-based fibers, and daily necessities; ultimately becoming a global leader in synthetic biology enterprises.
Once completed, this base will become China's first PHA production base and rank as the world's third-largest. This success not only belongs to Microfactory but also signifies a significant breakthrough for China's industrial application of synthetic biology; marking the establishment of a commercialization path for PHAs within China.
Currently, with the continuous development of synthetic biology in China and the emergence of new breakthroughs and changes, numerous companies have entered the entrepreneurial field of synthetic biology. Professor Chen Guoqiang, founder of Microvast Factory, stated in a news report that collaboration with Angel Yeast is another significant indicator of successful industrial transformation within synthetic biology. The domestic production line for PHA products has reached a production level of 30,000 tons, undoubtedly enabling more industries and consumers to benefit from the innovative technology and exceptional products offered by synthetic biology. This will contribute to promoting a greener lifestyle among individuals. We hold great confidence in this promising future. As people's pursuit for health and quality of life continues to grow alongside an increasing demand for disease prevention and treatment solutions, there is expected to be sustained market growth for pharmaceuticals derived from synthetic biology due to its broad market potential.
Therefore, this project employs the design principles of synthetic biology engineering to target the design, modification, testing, and application of Zymomonas mobilis. Its objective is to develop an integrated probiotic microbial cell therapy that encompasses health prevention, diagnostic reporting, and responsive treatment modules. Currently, it still holds strong prospects. However, throughout the project development process, the team should also prioritize enhancing drug production efficiency and quality through technological innovation and process optimization while simultaneously reducing costs to establish a competitive pricing advantage. With the gradual opening of global markets, the project will actively expand into international markets and engage in global competition. Through international cooperation and technology exchange initiatives, its aim is to enhance brand influence and international competitiveness.