JBS inaugurates advanced biotechnology center to develop "super proteins"
JBS inaugurated in Florianópolis (SC), JBS Biotech, an advanced biotechnology center dedicated to the development of applied science in the production chain, to create and add value to food production. The opening ceremony was attended by Wesley Batista, J&F shareholder and member of the JBS Board of Directors; Gilberto Tomazoni, Global CEO of JBS; and Fernanda Berti, CEO of JBS Biotech. The unit operates in animal health, precision nutrition and the development of functional and alternative proteins, raising the competitive standard of the animal protein chain.
Located in Sapiens Parque, the complex is led by chemical engineer Fernanda Berti, PhD in Chemical and Biotechnological Process Development, and was structured to operate from initial research to the validation of new technologies for industrial application. With a structure of over 4,000 m2 dedicated to research and development, JBS Biotech has more than 20 highly specialized laboratories, designed according to international standards of quality and operational safety, ensuring excellence and flexibility to meet the company's strategic demands in a sustainable and continuous manner. The unit's activities cover the entire technological development cycle, from basic science to applied science, including everything from cellular and molecular biology to engineering, data simulation, and results validation.
“JBS Biotech is capable of developing everything from functional proteins – the so-called super proteins – to new bioactive ingredients for the supplement and food market. More than just producing a finished product, our goal is to develop knowledge and technology, accelerate proof-of-concept projects, and pave the way for future industrial-scale applications,” emphasizes Gilberto Tomazoni, JBS's global CEO.
“We are entering a new frontier, where it is possible to understand the potential of protein foods at the molecular level and develop solutions with nutritional and functional characteristics tailored to different consumer needs,” says Fernanda Berti, CEO of JBS Biotech. “This includes the advancement of precision nutrition, with the development of ingredients and proteins designed to modulate specific physiological responses, both in humans and animals.”
The protein supplement market is estimated at US$30 billion, with growth of 10% per year.
At the heart of this initiative is the commitment to offering consumers high-quality proteins, expanding access to new protein production technologies, and contributing to the construction of an increasingly efficient production model.
In practice, this paves the way for high-quality nutritional proteins, rich in essential amino acids, in the appropriate proportion for consumption. These ingredients can be designed to act in a targeted way, from muscle mass gain to immune support and metabolic performance, expanding the concept of traditional nutrition to a more personalized and science-based nutrition. The knowledge generated is also applied to improve existing products, increasing quality and nutritional value. "This initiative stems from our conviction that science, technology and innovation are essential to ensure food security in a rapidly changing world," adds Tomazoni.
Science applied to industrial innovation
The advancement of biotechnology has driven the growth of strategic sectors of the global economy by enabling high value-added products, associated with productive efficiency, environmental responsibility, and food security. Aligned with this scenario, the center has a structure that integrates next-generation sequencers, advanced molecular analyses, omics data science – genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics – as well as complete capacity for cell, microorganism, and plant cultures. This infrastructure positions JBS Biotech as a center of excellence for innovation, reducing the distance between science, industry, and the consumer.
One of the pillars of this vision is the creation of a biobank — a structure dedicated to the preservation and organization of biological samples — which, combined with the strategic use of science and technology, allows for extracting more value from each stage of the agro-industrial chain.
Supported by a team of highly qualified scientists and specialists, coupled with a solid structure of strategic support and quality assurance, JBS Biotech integrates multidisciplinary competencies ranging from basic science—such as biology, chemistry, and physics—to applied science—chemical engineering, biochemistry, bioprocesses, and food science—with the goal of optimizing conventional production processes and enabling the creation of new technological processes. This foundation allows the center to operate in both incremental innovation, with improvements to existing processes and products, and disruptive innovation, focused on creating new solutions for the food chain.
Added value to the chain
Further developing the circular economy model already established by JBS is another strategic focus of the center. Research utilizes extraction and bioconversion technologies to transform co-products into higher value-added bio-ingredients, such as functional proteins, food supplements, and bioactive compounds.
The production chain allows for better utilization of resources generated in conventional processes to serve different sectors, such as pharmaceutical, cosmetic, medical, and food supplement inputs and products. "We are mapping what is currently treated as a byproduct to develop new industrial applications," says Fernanda Berti.
Animal health and efficiency
Biotechnology plays an increasingly important role in animal health, supporting the development of safe and effective veterinary products that integrate with established management and care practices in different production systems. These solutions contribute to strengthening prevention and sanitary control strategies, supporting animal welfare and responsible food production throughout the entire chain. Furthermore, biotechnology contributes to the operational efficiency of animal protein production by assisting in the organization of data related to production systems.
New phase of investment in biotechnology
The opening of the center connects to the company's previous initiatives in biotechnology, including investments in cultivated protein in Europe. With the new center in Brazil, the company expands its capacity to develop solutions across different areas of the food chain.
In a scenario of growing global demand for protein and increased requirements for nutritional quality, advances in science into new protein ingredients expand the possibilities for developing foods with greater nutritional and functional precision. "Our mission is to make biotechnological knowledge tangible," summarizes Fernanda Berti. "We want to transform science into solutions that generate lasting value for the company and for society."
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