Inside BENEO’s new pulse plant: pioneering sustainable protein from faba beans
The company aims to capture emerging opportunities in India and globally for plant-based Vitamin D3, sustainable biocatalysis, and advanced nutritional ingredients
Fermenta Biotech announced that its Board of Directors has approved a capital investment of Rs 110 crore for expanding capacities at its existing Dahej, Gujarat facility.
The comprehensive investment programme, spanning multiple high-value segments, leverages Fermenta’s proprietary technologies and decades of manufacturing excellence to capture emerging opportunities in India and globally for plant-based Vitamin D3, sustainable biocatalysis, and advanced nutritional ingredients.
The investments will be implemented in phases across FY26 and FY27, using an optimised mix of internal accruals and debt.
The investment at Dahej will expand capacity across:
Plant-Based Vitamin D3
Establishment of commercial-scale manufacturing for plant-based Vitamin D3, a breakthrough innovation for which Fermenta has recently received process patent protection in India.
Green Chemistry Enzymes
Significant capacity expansion for industrial enzymes, specifically CAL-B Lipase and Penicillin G Acylase (PGA), which serve as critical biocatalysts in pharmaceutical manufacturing and chiral chemistry applications.
Vitamin D3 Derivatives
Establishment of commercial-scale manufacturing for Vitamin D3 derivatives, including Calcifediol—a novel Vitamin D3 analog representing the next generation of Vitamin D metabolites with enhanced clinical relevance for bone health and therapeutic applications.
Prashant Nagre – Managing Director, Fermenta Biotech, “The continued growth in Vitamin D3 is structurally driven by the widespread global prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency and a sustained increase in awareness across all demographics. Importantly, while Vitamin D3 usage has historically been concentrated in skeletal health, recent scientific evidence is accelerating adoption across non-skeletal applications. This expanding therapeutic relevance strengthens demand fundamentals and underpins our long-term growth outlook for the Vitamin D3 segment. As one of the first companies globally to commercialise plant-derived Vitamin D3, we are addressing the fast-growing vegan and sustainable nutrition megatrend. Adding high-potency Vitamin D3 derivatives also expands Fermenta’s Vitamin D3 offerings. Our enzyme platform, particularly CAL-B Lipase and Penicillin G Acylase, address the pharmaceutical industry’s urgent need for sustainable biocatalytic processes. With nearly four decades of pioneering expertise since we became India’s first PGA manufacturer in 1986, we are uniquely positioned to capitalize on this transformational shift towards green chemistry. The Rs 110 crore investment represents a decisive step in Fermenta’s strategic evolution as we strengthen our proposition of delivering complex, science-validated manufacturing at scale. The investment aligns perfectly with our vision to deliver sustainable solutions that create value for customers while addressing critical societal needs. With our DBT-approved R&D Excellence Centre and global-scale manufacturing capabilities, we are confident these expanded capacities will drive meaningful growth and profitability in the coming years.”