Lesaffre
World's largest yeast producer, founded in mid-19th century France.
Lesaffre, a French company, is the largest yeast producer in the world. It was founded in the mid-1800s by Louis Lesaffre, who also co-founded Bonduelle. One of its subsidiaries, Bio Springer, was started by Baron Max de Springer in 1872 in Maisons-Alfort. In 2004, the company formed a North American joint venture with Archer Daniels Midland called Red Star Yeast. The sale of its malt business in 2006, through the subsidiary International Malting Company (IMC)—then the fifth-largest maltster globally—caused friction among family shareholders. IMC was fully bought by ADM. By 2007, Lesaffre was the world’s top yeast producer. In 2011, it purchased the Voronezh Yeast factory in Russia. After creating the Lesaffre Advanced Fermentations (LEAF) subsidiary, it acquired the Swiss biofuel start-up Butalco in July 2014, entering the market for second-generation, waste-based bioethanol and biobutanol. The company’s business units include Biospringer, Fermentis, and Ennolys (food, taste, and pleasure); Gnosis, Phileo, and Agrauxine (healthcare); and Leaf, Procelys, and LIS (industrial biotechnology). In 2014, Lesaffre reported annual turnover of €1.5 billion, employed 7,700 people, and had 80 subsidiaries. It is privately held, with shares among 400 family shareholders whose collective fortune is estimated at €3 billion. In 2018, it took control of Tunisian Rayen Food Industries (baker’s yeast) and a Serbian Alltech plant (yeast extracts). In 2021, it ranked 8th on FoodTalks’ list of top 30 global probiotic food ingredient companies. Current data shows annual sales of €2 billion, over 10,000 employees, and 80 subsidiaries across 50 countries. In 2024, it acquired control of Brazilian yeast products manufacturer Biorigin from the Zilor group.
Regarding controversies, in March 2025, residents near the Biospringer plant in Maisons-Alfort started a petition about odors, which received limited support. The company began technical work in September 2025 to reduce the nuisance, but complaints continued through December. On 6 April 2023, two ammonia leaks from a storage tank at the facility caused minor injuries to two workers. The next day, about 500 nearby residents were told to stay indoors as a precaution, and local schools closed temporarily.
- Founded
- mid-19th century
- Founder
- Louis Lesaffre
- Annual turnover 2014
- 1.5 billion euros
- Employees 2014
- 7700
- Subsidiaries 2014
- 80
- Shareholders
- 400
- Annual sales 2021
- 2 billion euros
- Employees 2021
- more than 10,000
Lore & Background
Lesaffre was founded by Louis Lesaffre, co-founder of Bonduelle, in the mid-19th century. One of its subsidiaries, Bio Springer, was founded by Baron Max de Springer in 1872 in Maisons-Alfort. In 2004, it formed a North American joint-venture with Archer Daniels Midland, known as Red Star Yeast. In 2006, the end of the malt business via its subsidiary International Malting Company (IMC), then the fifth largest maltster in the world, created tension among family shareholders; IMC was acquired at 100% by ADM. In 2007, it was the world's largest producer of yeast. In 2011, it bought the factory of 'Voronezh Yeast' LLC in Voronezh. After founding the Lesaffre Advanced Fermentations (LEAF) subsidiary, the Swiss biofuel start-up Butalco, founded by Eckhard Boles and Gunter Festel, was acquired in July 2014, entering the market for second generation, waste-based bioethanol and biobutanol. In 2018, the group took control of Tunisian Rayen Food Industries (baker's yeast) and a Serbian Alltech plant (yeast extracts). In 2024, it acquired control of Brazilian yeast products manufacturer Biorigin from Zilor group.
Reader's Guide
Lesaffre's significance lies in its sustained dominance as the world's largest yeast producer, a position it held as early as 2007. The company's history reflects strategic expansions and acquisitions, including the 2004 joint-venture Red Star Yeast with ADM and the 2014 acquisition of Butalco to enter second-generation biofuel production. Its business units span food (Biospringer, Fermentis, Ennolys), healthcare (Gnosis, Phileo, Agrauxine), and industrial biotechnology (Leaf, Procelys, LIS). Financially, the company is privately held by 400 family shareholders, with a professional fortune estimated at 3 billion euros. In 2021, it ranked 8th on FoodTalks' list of Top 30 Global Probiotic Food Ingredient Companies. The company has faced controversies: in March 2025, residents petitioned about odors from its Biospringer plant in Maisons-Alfort; in April 2023, two ammonia leaks caused minor injuries and temporary school closures; and in November 2024, it was fined €15,000 for exceeding water withdrawal limits from the Seine between 2016 and 2024.
Did You Know?
- In July 2014, Lesaffre acquired Swiss biofuel start-up Butalco, entering second-generation bioethanol and biobutanol markets.
- In November 2024, Lesaffre was fined €15,000 by the prefecture of Val-de-Marne for exceeding water withdrawal limits from the Seine.
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