Liberation Labs to produce Vivici’s dairy protein at new US fermentation facility

Liberation Labs has confirmed a manufacturing partnership with Dutch precision fermentation company Vivici, marking the first customer commitment for its soon-to-be-completed biomanufacturing plant in Richmond, Indiana.

The agreement will see Liberation Labs produce Vivici’s flagship dairy protein ingredient, Vivitein BLG, once the 600,000-liter capacity facility comes online in 2026. Vivitein is a beta-lactoglobulin – an abundant whey protein – produced via precision fermentation, and is aimed at business-to-business customers looking to create next-generation food and nutrition products.

“This is a perfect reference case for our facility,” commented Mark Warner, Founder & CEO of Liberation Labs. “Vivici is seeking cost-effective and sustainable manufacturing of a novel protein ingredient that unlocks a range of healthy and innovative products. We love what Vivici is doing and will be proud to play a role in their success.”

Vivici, headquartered in the Netherlands, has developed Vivitein to address growing consumer interest in high-quality proteins. Applications include clear, water-based protein beverages, vegan-friendly protein bars, and clean-label protein powders designed for superior absorption and muscle support. The company sees the US market as a critical growth area.

“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.”

The Richmond plant, currently in the final stages of construction, is designed to be a commercial-scale, purpose-built site for precision fermentation. Alongside Vivici’s dairy protein, it will be equipped to produce a variety of bio-based materials for food, chemicals, and industrial sectors. The facility includes a fully dedicated downstream process, helping startups and established brands scale up fermentation-based products in a cost-effective way.

With the partnership in place, Vivici strengthens its supply chain for US customers, while Liberation Labs secures a flagship project for its inaugural facility, bolstering its ambitions to provide accessible infrastructure for precision fermentation at scale.