Evonik, Shandong Vland Biotech form JV in China with a focus on animal gut health

The companies plan to develop and expand gut health solutions globally including probiotics.

Signing the contract from left to right: Dr. Yingjun Zhou (GM of Shandong Vland, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the JV), Arron Chen (Chairman and President of Vland Group, Supervisor of the JV), Dr. Gaetano Blanda (Head of Evonik's Animal Nutrition Business Line, Supervisor of the JV), and Peichen Zhang (Chief Financial Officer of Evonik's Greater China Region, member of the JV Board of Directors)

October 17, 2023

Evonik China and Shandong Vland Biotech agreed to build a joint venture to expand their presence in gut health solutions products for farm animals globally. Evonik will be the majority shareholder in this joint venture with 55% of the shares. The joint venture, called Evonik Vland Biotech (Shandong) Co., Ltd., will have its headquarters in Binzhou, China, and plans to enter the market in Q1/2024.

The joint venture will combine the specific strengths of both partners, including Vland's market access, regulatory capabilities in China as well as its fast innovation cycles. In addition, the joint venture will benefit from Evonik’s global sales force and market access, R&D and global regulatory capabilities. Sales of the new joint venture are expected to be in the low double-digit million Euro range.

Evonik announced earlier this year that it is developing its specialty nutrition business with system solutions and specialties for poultry, swine and ruminants. The partnership with Vland on gut health solutions is an essential element of Evonik’s strategy to offer system solutions for its customers in the animal feed industry.

Customized system solutions consisting of products, services and know-how delivering sustainability benefits are part of the strategic core of Evonik's life science division Nutrition & Care, which includes the Animal Nutrition business line. Biosolutions, such as probiotics for animal gut health, will strengthen the division’s biotechnology platform.

“This joint venture combines the strengths of two successful players in the feed additives business and provides a solid platform for future growth,” said Gaetano Blanda, head of the Animal Nutrition business line of Evonik. “Together, both partners gain broader market access for their products and combine their innovative strength.”

“I am happy to join forces with Evonik. The joint venture builds on the successful cooperation between our two companies, which we are now taking to a new level," said Arron Chen, chairman and president of the Vland Group.

Both partners will bring their gut health businesses, such as probiotics and formulated products, into the joint venture to cover the Greater China Region which accounts for more than 20% of the global feed additives market.

Evonik Vland Biotech (Shandong) Co., Ltd. will also engage in creating new gut health products. As part of the agreement, Evonik will distribute the joint venture’s portfolio outside of the Greater China Region. The joint venture allows Evonik to expand its gut health solutions by adding broader formulation elements to its global product portfolio.

“The joint venture of Evonik and Vland will enhance our portfolio in Asia Pacific. Both companies will grow faster together than they would have on their own,” said Shirley Qi, regional president of SEAANZ and head of Nutrition & Care Asia at Evonik.