Danish biotech startup Cellugy has run its fermentation process at 15,000 liters. That is a tenfold scale-up. The company reports consistent product quality and performance at the larger volume.
The run took place at Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant (BBEPP) in Belgium. The site uses industrially relevant fermentation equipment. The goal was to test the robustness, reproducibility and scalability of Cellugy’s platform.
The platform uses microbial fermentation to make tailored exopolysaccharides (EPS). These biopolymers provide rheology, stabilization, sensory and bioactive functions. Cellugy says they can replace petrochemical and microplastic-based materials without losing performance.
The first product is EcoFLEXY Rheo. It is a biodegradable rheology modifier for personal care. The company says it delivers strong suspension, stability and sensory performance, even in demanding formulations. The platform runs on a common fermentation backbone. That lets Cellugy develop new polymers for surfactant-rich and industrial uses, plus bioactive variants.
The scale-up moved quickly. The teams went from 4 liters to 15,000 liters in 16 months. They adjusted process parameters at each stage. BBEPP’s Hendrik Waegeman said this produced a robust, straightforward protocol. He pointed to the challenge of a non-conventional product with an unusual broth texture.
Scale-up expert Alex Patist said volume puts consistency, reproducibility and equipment transfer to the test. He described the project as a disciplined, stepwise example of bioprocess scaling.
Chief Commercial Officer Koen Paesmans said the result supports deeper talks with strategic customers and manufacturing partners. The company says it lowers scale-up risk and gives partnerships a stronger base.
Cellugy will use what it learned to move EcoFLEXY toward commercial production. It also plans to widen the platform’s use across cosmetics, personal care and other high-value markets.
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