Lithuanian startup Pentasweet is constructing a €65 million precision fermentation facility in Vilnius, set to begin operations in early 2027, to produce brazzein, a sweet protein significantly sweeter than sugar. This facility will be the first in Europe to manufacture brazzein commercially, addressing the growing demand for natural high-intensity sweeteners beyond stevia and monk fruit.
Pentasweet's new precision fermentation facility for brazzein in Lithuania represents a significant development in the natural high-intensity sweeteners market, with production expected to start by 2027. The facility will produce brazzein, a protein-based sweetener that's 500-2,000 times sweeter than sugar, offering a stable, clean-tasting alternative to current sweeteners like stevia. This positions Pentasweet as a potential leader in the European market for alternative sweeteners, with an opportunity for early investment as they seek EFSA approval and plan further expansion.