From Europe to Indiana: Vivici and Liberation Labs Partner to Expand US Production of Animal-Free Dairy Proteins

Courtesy: Vivici

Vivici, a Dutch precision fermentation startup developing next-generation dairy ingredients, has announced a manufacturing partnership with US-based Liberation Labs. Under the agreement, Liberation Labs will produce Vivici’s lead ingredient, Vivitein™ BLG, at its new Richmond, Indiana facility starting in 2026. The partnership marks a strategic move to scale the production of animal-free dairy proteins in the United States, responding to growing demand from food and beverage brands seeking novel protein solutions for the active lifestyle and performance nutrition markets.

Vivitein™ BLG, Vivici’s flagship product, is a bio-identical form of beta-lactoglobulin—the main whey protein found in dairy—produced through precision fermentation. This technology uses microbial fermentation rather than cows to produce highly functional dairy proteins, eliminating the need for animal agriculture while delivering the same nutritional and sensory benefits. Vivici’s ingredient enables brands to formulate clear, water-based protein beverages similar to ready-to-drink products like Gatorade Zero Protein, clean-label protein powders designed for muscle recovery and sports nutrition, and vegan-friendly protein bars with the texture and chewiness consumers expect from mainstream brands like Quest or Clif.

The partnership builds on a strong start to 2024 for Vivici. Earlier this year, the company raised €32.5 million in a funding round led by dsm-firmenich Venturing and Fonterra, reinforcing its position as a key player in precision fermentation. In March, Vivici received a “No Questions” letter from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Vivitein™ BLG, confirming the ingredient’s Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status. This regulatory milestone clears the way for Vivici to bring its animal-free dairy protein to the US market confidently.

For Vivici, the partnership with Liberation Labs not only brings its product closer to commercial scale but also strengthens its ability to serve the US market. “As awareness of the important role protein plays in supporting active lifestyles continues to grow, American consumers are demanding higher quality and greater quantities of protein in their diets,” said Stephan van Sint Fiet, CEO of Vivici. “Our partnership with Liberation Labs expands our European manufacturing capabilities, providing US customers with increased supply security for Vivitein™ BLG.”

Liberation Labs, founded by industry veteran Mark Warner, is positioning itself as a critical infrastructure player in the precision fermentation landscape. Its Richmond facility, currently in the final stages of construction, will offer 600,000 liters of fermentation capacity along with a fully dedicated downstream processing line. Designed to meet the needs of both emerging startups and established brands, the plant aims to provide cost-effective, large-scale production of bio-based ingredients for the food, chemical, and materials industries. Since its founding, Liberation Labs has raised $71.5 million in private capital and secured an additional $55 million in non-dilutive financing commitments, including funding from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

“Building capacity is one thing, but making it truly accessible to companies like Vivici—who are pushing boundaries on what protein can be—is another,” said Mark Warner, CEO of Liberation Labs. “This is exactly why we built Richmond: to translate world-class biotech into everyday products that perform, taste great, and meet consumer expectations on sustainability.”

The collaboration reflects a broader industry trend where precision fermentation companies are moving from R&D and pilot scale to full commercial manufacturing. The precision fermentation ingredients market, which reached a valuation of $28.4 billion in 2023, continues to attract attention from investors, food industry giants, and emerging startups alike. Several similar partnerships have emerged in recent years, such as Perfect Day’s collaborations with multiple contract manufacturers for its animal-free whey proteins and Standing Ovation’s partnership with Tetra Pak to optimize downstream processing for casein production. These alliances are helping to bridge the gap between breakthrough biotech and market-ready products by leveraging biomanufacturing infrastructure that can meet industry-scale demands.

Vivici’s choice to work with Liberation Labs also signals the importance of geographic manufacturing diversification. While the company continues to build its production capacity in Europe, having a manufacturing partner in the United States is expected to reduce supply chain risks and logistical complexities for North American customers. This is particularly timely as consumer interest in high-performance and sustainable protein solutions accelerates in the US market, where plant-based and animal-free proteins are becoming key drivers of product innovation across categories such as sports nutrition, beverages, and functional foods.

The partnership builds on Vivici’s broader strategy to establish itself as a leading supplier of precision fermentation-derived proteins tailored to the needs of B2B customers in food and beverage manufacturing. Backed by DSM-Firmenich and Fonterra, Vivici launched in 2022 with a mission to deliver animal-free dairy proteins without compromising on taste, functionality, or sustainability. Its technology platform not only targets the nutritional benefits of whey proteins but also unlocks new formulation possibilities that conventional dairy ingredients often cannot deliver.

As Liberation Labs prepares to bring its Indiana facility online in 2026, the collaboration with Vivici underscores the growing maturity of the precision fermentation ecosystem. By combining Vivici’s ingredient innovation with Liberation Labs’ manufacturing expertise, the two companies are taking a significant step toward scaling the future of protein—making it more accessible, sustainable, and fit for the evolving needs of both brands and consumers.