CJ BIO

What CJ BIO does

CJ BIO is the biotechnology division of South Korean conglomerate CJ CheilJedang Corp., headquartered at the CJ CheilJedang Center in Seoul. Founded in 1990 and operating for over three decades, the company specializes in fermentation-based production of essential amino acids, taste solutions, postbiotics, plant-based proteins, biomaterials, and agricultural biologicals. It holds the global #1 market share in L-Lysine, L-Valine, L-Tryptophan, Nucleotides, and Soy Protein Concentrate (SPC) per 2018 rankings, and was the first company in the world to produce bio-processed L-Methionine — a technical milestone that has shaped its category leadership.

The company's portfolio spans five segments: (1) Animal Nutrition — BestAmino essential amino acids (Lysine, Methionine, Threonine, Tryptophan, Valine, Arginine, Isoleucine, Histidine), specialty proteins (X·SOY, SOYTIDE) and animal health solutions (Green Protein, GutLuk, Coxield); (2) Human Taste & Nutrition — TasteNrich clean-label umami and masking solutions, FlavorNrich natural flavors, BiomeNrich postbiotics (POST SZ075, POST M005), AMINATURE vegan amino acids, and WellNrich Leanepic botanical extract; (3) Plant Solutions — biostimulants, microbial pesticides, microbial fertilizers, and bio-based fertilizers; (4) Biomaterials — CJ PHACT PHA bioplastics; and (5) Digital Solutions — BestAmino REQ formulation optimization platform. Underlying technologies include proprietary solid fermentation using Bacillus bacterium with air injection to eliminate anti-nutritional factors in soy protein, and hexane/alcoholic extraction processes for X·SOY SPC production.

CJ BIO operates as a B2B ingredients supplier with quote-based pricing on bulk orders, serving enterprise customers across animal feed manufacturing, food and beverage manufacturing, and human nutrition brands globally. Distribution is direct via enterprise sales teams supported by technical consultation and trade show engagement (IFT FIRST, SupplySide Global). The company is not independently funded; its operations are financed through its parent conglomerate structure (CJ Group). In September 2025, CJ BIO divested its enzyme and fermentation subsidiary CJ Youtell Biotech to Kemin Industries, including fermentation plants in Shandong and Hunan, China, representing a portfolio rationalization move that narrows the operating footprint to amino acids, taste, nutrition, biomaterials, and plant solutions.

Name

CJ BIO

Legal name

CJ CheilJedang Corp.

Website

https://cjbio.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

CJ BIO, the biotechnology division of CJ CheilJedang Corp., is a South Korea-based B2B fermentation specialist producing essential amino acids, taste solutions, postbiotics, plant-based proteins, and PHA biomaterials for global animal feed, food and beverage, and nutrition customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Biotechnology / Fermentation-derived Ingredients

NAICS

Animal Food Manufacturing (31111), Food Manufacturing (311), Soybean and Other Oilseed Processing (311224)

SIC

Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833), Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Non-Antibiotic Health & Performance Supplements (Immune, Gut Health, Stress/Heat Support) (AFADALAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Umami Enhancers & Savory Modulators (MSG, I+G, Yeast Extracts, HVP) (AFAJADAF), Nutraceuticals & Functional Ingredients for Animal Diets (Probiotics, Omega-3, Joint, GI) (HLAMAHAH)

Keywords

• Fermentation biotechnology
• Amino acid production
• Animal feed ingredients
• Food taste solutions
• Nutrition biotic ingredients

Headquarters

HQ city

Seoul

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Animal Nutrition Products: CJ BIO produces and sells essential amino acids (L-Lysine, L-Methionine, L-Threonine, L-Tryptophan, L-Valine, L-Arginine, L-Isoleucine, L-Histidine) for animal feed, along with specialty proteins (X·SOY, SOYTIDE) and animal health solutions (Green Protein, Gut Health, Anticoccidial).
2. Human Taste & Nutrition Products: CJ BIO provides taste solutions (TasteNrich, FlavorNrich, MSG, Nucleotides) for food and beverage manufacturers, and nutrition products (BiomeNrich biotics, Botanical Extracts, Food Grade Amino Acids) for human health applications.
3. Enzyme Products (divested): CJ BIO previously operated enzyme and fermentation business through CJ Youtell Biotech subsidiary, which was acquired by Kemin Industries in 2025.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

CJ BIO manufactures and sells fermentation-derived ingredients including essential amino acids (L-Lysine, L-Methionine, L-Threonine, L-Tryptophan, L-Valine, L-Arginine, L-Isoleucine, L-Histidine) for animal feed, specialty soy proteins (X·SOY, SOYTIDE), clean-label taste solutions (TasteNrich, FlavorNrich, MSG, Nucleotides) for food and beverage manufacturers, and postbiotic and botanical nutrition ingredients (BiomeNrich, AMINATURE, WellNrich Leanepic) for human nutrition brands. The company also produces animal health solutions, polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) biomaterials, and agricultural microbial products, selling directly to industrial B2B customers globally.

Product overview

CJ BIO is a global leader in functional health and nutrition solutions offering a diversified portfolio across multiple business segments. The product portfolio includes: (1) Animal Nutrition - BestAmino amino acids (L-Lysine, L-Methionine, L-Threonine, L-Tryptophan, L-Valine, L-Arginine, L-Isoleucine, L-Histidine) and animal health products (Green Protein, GutLuk, Coxield, Biotector); (2) Human Taste & Nutrition - TasteNrich clean label taste solutions, FlavorNrich natural flavors, BiomeNrich postbiotic ingredients (POST SZ075, POST M005), and AMINATURE vegan amino acids; (3) Plant Solutions - Biostimulant, Microbial Pesticide, and Microbial Fertilizer for agricultural applications; (4) Biomaterials - CJ PHACT PHA bioplastics; (5) Digital Solutions - BestAmino REQ digital platform for amino acid optimization. CJ BIO is part of CJ CheilJedang and leverages biotechnology to serve food, beverage, animal feed, and agricultural markets globally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• BestAmino Amino Acid Line Amino acid product line for animal nutrition including L-Lysine, L-Methionine, L-Threonine, L-Tryptophan, L-Valine, L-Arginine, L-Isoleucine, and L-Histidine. CJ BIO holds the largest global market share for Lysine, Tryptophan, Valine, and Nucleotides.
• TasteNrich Clean Label Taste Solutions Clean label umami and taste solutions including Natural Clean Umami, HMMA Texture Solution, Natural Phosphate Alternative, Off-notes Masking Solution, Natural L-Cysteine, MSG, and Nucleotide products for food and beverage applications.
• FlavorNrich Natural Flavors Natural flavor solutions derived from nature for genuine flavor enhancement in food applications.
• BiomeNrich Postbiotic and Biotic Ingredients Condition-specific biotic solutions including postbiotic ingredients such as POST SZ075 and POST M005, designed for human nutrition applications including skin health and microbiome innovation.
• AMINATURE Vegan Amino Acids Vegan amino acids delivered from nature for human nutrition applications.
• X·SOY Soy Protein Concentrate World No.1 soybean-based high protein brand for animal and aqua feed. X·SOY 200 and X·SOY 600 products provide high digestibility, high protein content, and low ANFs as vegetable protein replacements for fishmeal in aquaculture and animal feed.
• SOYTIDE Fermented Soy Protein High quality fermented soy protein using Bacillus fermentation technology that effectively eliminates anti-nutritional factors and provides higher protein content than conventional feed meals, with probiotic effects for swine, aqua, and poultry applications.
• WellNrich Leanepic Botanical Extract Science-backed nutrition formulation focusing on muscle health and aging, supported by research data and FDA regulatory approval.
• Green Protein Animal Health Product Animal health product for livestock nutrition applications.
• GutLuk Gut Health Solution Gut health solution for animal nutrition.
• Coxield Anticoccidial Solution Anticoccidial solution for animal health.
• Biotector Enzyme Product Enzyme product for animal nutrition applications.
• BestAmino REQ Digital Platform Digital platform for amino acid requirement optimization in animal nutrition, providing calculation tools for different growth stages of livestock.
• CJ PHACT (PHA) Biomaterials Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) biomaterials for sustainable applications.
• Biostimulant Plant Solution Green bio solution for plant growth and care in agricultural applications.
• Microbial Pesticide Microbial-based pesticide solutions for plant protection.
• Microbial Fertilizer (Inoculant) Microbial fertilizer (inoculant) for soil health and plant nutrition.

Quantifiable outcome

• Significant improvements in skin biomarkers related to hydration, elasticity, and wrinkle reduction
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Kemin IndustriesminorOthers · 23 September 2025Kemin Industries acquired CJ Youtell Biotech, the enzyme and fermentation subsidiary of CJ Bio. The acquisition included fermentation plants in Shandong and Hunan provinces, China, and enhanced Kemin's enzyme portfolio across animal feed, food, aquaculture, textiles, and biofuel sectors. CJ BIO divested this subsidiary as part of portfolio optimization.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Meihua Group: Meihua is one of the world's largest producers of L-Lysine and other feed-grade amino acids. It is a direct Chinese competitor to CJ BIO in commodity amino acids, competing on scale and cost.
• Evonik (Animal Nutrition): Evonik produces essential amino acids (MetAMINO, Biolys, ThreAMINO) for animal feed using fermentation. It competes head-to-head with CJ BIO's BestAmino line in the global feed-grade amino acid market.
• Fufeng Group: Fufeng is a leading Chinese fermentation-based producer of MSG and amino acids including L-Lysine and L-Threonine. It directly competes with CJ BIO in amino acid and nucleotide/umami ingredient markets.
• Kemin Industries: Kemin acquired CJ Youtell Biotech (CJ BIO's enzyme subsidiary) in 2025 and operates in animal nutrition, food ingredients, and aquaculture. It is now a closer peer in feed enzymes and animal health.

Broad incumbents

• Ajinomoto: Ajinomoto is a global leader in amino acid production (including Lysine, Threonine, and nucleotides) and operates broadly in food ingredients and seasonings. It is directly comparable to CJ BIO on fermentation-based amino acids and umami nucleotides.
• IFF (International Flavors & Fragrances): IFF's Taste & Sensation division (formerly DuPont N&B) supplies nucleotides, yeast extracts, and savory taste solutions to food manufacturers. It competes with CJ BIO's TasteNrich line for food ingredient share.
• ADM Animal Nutrition: ADM is a global agricultural processor and animal feed ingredient supplier. While broader than CJ BIO, it competes in amino acid-supplemented feed and specialty proteins for livestock.
• Givaudan: Givaudan is the world's largest flavors and fragrances house, supplying savory taste solutions and natural flavors to F&B manufacturers. It competes with CJ BIO's TasteNrich and FlavorNrich portfolios.

Emerging players

• Corbion: Corbion develops fermentation-based food ingredients and bioplastics (PLA). It overlaps with CJ BIO in fermentation technology and biomaterials (PHA at CJ BIO vs. PLA at Corbion).
• Hamlet Protein: Hamlet Protein specializes in soy-based specialty proteins for young animal nutrition (swine, poultry, aqua). It is comparable to CJ BIO's SOYTIDE and X·SOY in processed soy protein concentrates for feed.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@cj-bio
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cj-cheiljedang-bio
• Facebookfacebook.com/cjbioofficial

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CJ BIO