Indo-Israeli Biotech Pact: Uttar Pradesh to Host Massive Microalgae Fermentation Facility
In a significant boost to India’s biotechnology sector, Israeli food-tech innovator Brevel has entered into a 50:50 joint venture with the Indian conglomerate The Wave Group. The partnership aims to establish a state-of-the-art, large-scale “illuminated fermentation” facility in Uttar Pradesh, marking a major milestone for sustainable food production and plant cell culture in the country.
The project, which represents a greenfield investment, will utilize the abundant resources of the region by integrating byproducts from The Wave Group’s existing sugar mills as feedstock. This circular economy approach is expected to significantly reduce production costs, making high-quality alternative proteins more accessible.
Revolutionizing Protein Production
Founded in 2016, Brevel has garnered international attention for its proprietary “illuminated fermentation” technology. By combining traditional dark fermentation—where microbes are fueled by sugars—with precisely controlled LED lighting, the company has cracked the code for efficient microalgae cultivation.
While conventional indoor photobioreactors have historically struggled with the high costs associated with light-based cultivation, Brevel’s hybrid system offers yields up to 100 times higher than traditional methods. This process enables the production of their flagship product, Purallis, a highly nutritious Chlorella vulgaris biomass that is rich in protein, fiber, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin.
Yonatan Golan, cofounder and CEO of Brevel, highlighted the strategic importance of the Indian site. “By leveraging the sugar refinery byproducts like molasses and sucrose-rich intermediates from The Wave Group, we are seeing meaningful cost reductions. It transforms how we approach the economics of sustainable protein,” Golan noted.
Scaling Up for Global Markets
The facility is designed for a total capacity of 300,000 liters, with an initial $15 million investment dedicated to launching the first 100,000-liter phase. The construction process is slated to begin later this year, with full-scale production anticipated within 18 months.
Beyond its own product lines, the facility is being built as a hub for the broader biotechnology ecosystem. Brevel plans to open the infrastructure to other startups in the plant cell culture space, providing a commercial-scale platform for companies looking to move from lab-bench testing to mass production.
“Some of the companies we currently collaborate with are already interested in securing capacity at our India site,” said Golan. “The workflow involves scaling up in our smaller Israeli facility before transferring high-volume production to the massive capacity we are creating in Uttar Pradesh.”
Commercial Momentum
The technology has already secured significant commercial interest. Israel’s CBC Group, which manages major beverage franchises including Coca-Cola and Carlsberg, has partnered with Brevel to develop a new line of microalgae-enhanced products, with a retail launch targeted for 2027.
The partnership also underscores the growing maturity of India as a global manufacturing destination for cutting-edge food science. By combining Brevel’s technical prowess in illuminated fermenters with The Wave Group’s industrial infrastructure, the JV is well-positioned to serve both domestic and international markets, potentially reshaping the future of functional ingredients and sustainable protein. As global demand for alternative nutrients rises, this Indo-Israeli venture places India at the heart of the next generation of biotech innovation.
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