GranBio completes 100% equity in biotech firm American Process

Brazil-based GranBio announced that it has completed the acquisition of 100% equity in US biotechnology company American Process and affiliate companies, for an undisclosed sum.

Assets acquired by GranBio include the Alpena Biorefinery in Michigan, the Thomaston Biorefinery and research and development (R&D) centre in Georgia, in addition to employees and an intellectual property portfolio covering biorefinery, biofuels, biochemicals and nanocellulose operational and research areas.

American Process affiliate companies include AVAPCO and API Intellectual Properties Holdings.

“Acquiring the GreenPower+®, GreenBox+®, and AVAP® biorefinery technologies and the BioPlus® Nanocellulose Technology and their associated world-class demonstration plants and exceptional operations and R&D staff is part of GranBio's mission to become a global leader in the bioeconomy,” said Bernardo Gradin, president, GranBio.

“As evidenced by the construction and operation of the first commercial scale cellulosic ethanol plant in Brazil, GranBio is deeply committed to launching innovative biotechnologies that build a better and more environmentally safe planet for the next generations."

The Bioflex 1 unit in São Miguel dos Campos in Alagoas, Brazil began operations in 2014 with an initial production capacity of 82 million litres of ethanol per year.