Draft:METabolic EXplorer

METabolic EXplorer is a company in the field of biotechnology and chemicals, developing and patenting industrial fermentation processes. The company is listed on the Euronext Paris.

History
Metabolic Explorer was founded in 1999, with an initial public offering on the Paris Stock Exchange in 2007.

The company's R&D efforts led to the validation by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in 2013 of the safety and efficacy of its biologically sourced L-Methionine in all types of animal feed. In 2016, this L-Methionine production technology was sold for €45 million to the German company Evonik.

An exclusive license agreement and partnership were established in 2014 with the South Korean giant SK Chemicals for the production and commercialization of PDO (Propane-1,3-diol), which was terminated by both parties in 2015.

In 2018, the company refocused its activities on developing PDO (Propane-1,3-diol) and Butyric acid production at an industrial center in Carling, Moselle, France.

Activities
Metabolic Explorer aims to enable industries to continue production despite the anticipated end of oil.

It develops production processes for chemical compounds using microorganisms. These chemical compounds, originally mostly derived from hydrocarbons, are industrially used for manufacturing various products including paints, solvents, bio-based plastics, textile fibers, surgical sutures, animal feed, and more.

The first chemical compounds for which the company has developed biotechnological production processes include:


 * L-Methionine: an essential amino acid used in poultry and piglet feed. Biologically sourced L-Methionine has higher nutritional efficiency compared to chemically sourced D- or DL-Methionine produced from petroleum derivatives.
 * MPG (Propylene glycol): used as a food additive, non-corrosive antifreeze, in unsaturated polyester resins, paints, solvents, performance liquids, as well as pharmaceutical, hygiene, and cosmetic compounds, among others.
 * PDO (Propane-1,3-diol): a chemical intermediate used in numerous applications from cosmetic or hygiene product formulation, resin and coating production in the construction industry, to polymer production such as PTT or polyurethanes with extensive industrial applications. The company has entered into an agreement with DSM to market PDO in cosmetics under the TILAMAR® PDO with NØØVISTA TM.
 * Glycolic acid: used notably in cleaning products, cosmetics, etc.
 * Butanol: used in various products including paints, coatings, adhesives, solvents.
 * L-Valine: an amino acid used in animal nutrition.

METabolic EXplorer is based at the Biopôle Clermont-Limagne in Saint-Beauzire, Auvergne, France.

Its two production subsidiaries are based in France: METEX NØØVISTA in Carling Saint-Avold (Grand Est) and METEX NØØVISTAGO in Amiens (Hauts-de-France). The group also has offices in Paris.