LNF

What LNF does

LNF Latino Americana is a privately-held Brazilian industrial biotechnology firm founded on August 12, 1987 and headquartered in Bento Gonçalves, Rio Grande do Sul. The company develops, imports, and distributes selected yeast strains, enzymes, and hop-derived bioactive inputs for industrial fermentation processes. Its proprietary technology centers on selected Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains (including the LNF CA-11 cachaça strain co-developed with Universidade Federal de Lavras), enzymatic hydrolysis of starch and dextran for sugar production, enzymatic coffee demucilation, and hop-derived bacterial-control products (LactoStab, VitaHop, alpha and beta acids).

LNF serves B2B industrial customers across seven verticals: sugar mills and ethanol distilleries (its historical core, with 100+ plants in Brazil and Latin America), breweries, juice processors, cereal ethanol and modified-starch producers, cachaça distilleries, coffee processors, and (via subsidiary Kera) animal nutrition. The company also acts as the Brazilian channel for at least seven global biotechnology suppliers — Barth-Haas (hops), Fermentis (yeasts), The Swaen (malts), Novozymes (enzymes), Ashland (clarifiers), Angel (yeasts), and BetaTec (hop derivatives) — bundling imported premium inputs with its own proprietary strains into vertical-specific solutions.

LNF's revenue model is direct B2B industrial-input sales (one-time product sales rather than subscriptions), supported by field-level technical assistance to plants. Pricing is quote-based with no public tiers. Distribution is direct field sales, complemented by exclusive/semi-exclusive rights to international brands; customers contact the company through a single phone line, e-mail, and contact form. The company is privately held, with no disclosed investors, parent, or M&A history, and operates one core subsidiary (Kera Nutrição Animal, founded 1996).

Name

LNF

Legal name

LNF

Website

https://lnf.com.br

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

LNF Latino Americana is a privately-held Brazilian industrial biotechnology firm that supplies selected yeasts, enzymes, and hop derivatives to sugar/ethanol mills, breweries, juice processors, cachaça distilleries, coffee producers, and animal-nutrition operations across Brazil and Latin America, and distributes leading global brands such as Barth-Haas, Fermentis, and Novozymes in the domestic market.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Biotechnology Inputs

NAICS

Flavoring Syrup and Concentrate Manufacturing (311930)

akta.pro primary industry

Beverage Fermentation Cultures (Beer, Wine, Cider, Kombucha, Fermented Soft Drinks) (AFAJAJAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Brewing & Distilling Enzymes (AFAJAIAD), Yeast Products & Fermentation Metabolites (Yeast Culture, MOS/β-Glucans) (AFADALAM)

Keywords

• Industrial fermentation inputs
• Selected yeast strains
• Specialty brewing enzymes
• Hop derivatives supply
• Biotechnology distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Bento Gonçalves

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Industrial input sales (yeasts, enzymes, hop derivatives): Selling proprietary and distributed biotechnology inputs to industrial customers in sugarcane, beer, cachaça, juice, coffee, cereal ethanol, and animal nutrition segments. Revenue is generated through direct one-time sales of products (dried yeasts, liquid/solid enzymes, hop extracts) rather than subscriptions.
2. Distribution / importation of third-party brands: LNF acts as the Brazilian distributor for international brands such as Barth-Haas (hops), Fermentis (yeasts), The Swaen (malts), Novozymes (enzymes), Ashland (clarifiers), and Angel (yeasts). This generates trade-margin revenue from imported inputs resold to Brazilian industrial customers.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

LNF develops, sources, and distributes industrial biotechnology inputs — selected yeasts (Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains), specialty enzymes (pectinolytic, cellulolytic, amylolytic), and hop derivatives (alpha and beta acids, CO2 extracts, isomerized extracts) — for industrial fermentation customers in the sugar/ethanol, brewing, juice, cereal ethanol, cachaça, coffee, and animal-nutrition sectors. The company supplies more than 100 mills and distilleries in Brazil and Latin America, both with proprietary strains (e.g., LNF CA-11) and through exclusive Brazilian distribution of global brands such as Barth-Haas, Fermentis, Novozymes, The Swaen, Ashland, Angel, and BetaTec, supported by on-site technical assistance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Kera: LNF's animal nutrition division, producing its own silage inoculants, probiotics, and mineral supplements for animal nutrition (kerabrasil.com.br).

Products and services

• Açúcar e Etanol de Cana (Sugar and Cane Ethanol) Solutions Industrial biotechnology solutions for sugar and cane ethanol producers, including selected yeasts (e.g., PE-2, CAT-1, BG-1, Fermel, FT-858L), enzymatic hydrolysis of starch and dextran, and hop extracts (alpha and beta acids) for bacterial control. For more than 100 mills and distilleries in Brazil and Latin America.
• Sucos (Juices) Solutions Enzymatic solutions for the juice industry, including extraction, clarification, and stabilization of cloudy juices from grape, apple, citrus, and tropical fruits; essential-oil recovery, membrane cleaning, viscosity reduction, and plant-based gelatin (vegetable) clarifier suitable for Kosher and Halal. For Brazilian fruit juice processors.
• Cerveja (Beer) Solutions Complete brewing-input portfolio: hop pellets and CO2 extracts, dried brewing yeasts (lager and ale), malt, mashing enzymes, and clarifying agents. Sourced from global partners Barth-Haas, Novozymes, Fermentis, The Swaen, and Ashland. For industrial, craft, and micro-breweries in Brazil.
• Amido, Etanol e Álcool de Cereal (Starch, Cereal Ethanol and Alcohol) Solutions High-quality inputs for cereal-based ethanol production from corn, rice, and sorghum, including enzymes for starch hydrolysis (liquefaction and saccharification), selected yeasts for cereal fermentation (LNF/Angel Cereais, tolerant up to 42°C, Kosher and Non-GMO), hop extracts (Vitahop) for bacterial control and ethyl-carbamate prevention, and specialty micronutrients. For cereal ethanol and modified-starch producers.
• Cachaça e Destilados (Cachaça and Distillates) Solutions Selected yeast strains (notably LNF CA-11) and hop-derived products (LactoStab, Vitahop from BetaTec) for cachaça and distillates production, focused on quality improvement and cost reduction. For small, medium, and large cachaça producers in Brazil.
• Café (Coffee) Solutions Enzymatic solutions for the coffee industry, particularly for fast and safe demucilaging of coffee beans (Pectinex Ultra SP and LNF CNA + CNB complex), reducing demucilaging time from 24–36 hours to as little as 3 hours. For coffee producers in Brazil and other major producing countries.
• Kera - Nutrição Animal (Animal Nutrition) LNF's animal-nutrition division (sub-brand Kera), producing silage inoculants, probiotics, and mineral supplements. For livestock producers in Brazil.
• LNF CA-11 (Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast strain) Proprietary Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain for cachaça fermentation, selected after testing more than 1,800 wild yeast strains by Universidade Federal de Lavras (MG). Provides complete sucrose hydrolysis, low acid and aldehyde production, and a fruity flavor profile. For cachaça and distillate producers.
• Fermax® enzyme Biological enzymatic solution that prevents foam formation in ethanol fermentation vats, reducing chemical antifoam usage and increasing usable vat volume. For sugar and ethanol producers.
• Selected Yeast Strains for Cane Ethanol (PE-2, CAT-1, BG-1, Fermel, FT-858L) Selected dried yeasts supplied to over 100 mills and distilleries in Brazil and Latin America for fuel ethanol fermentation; tolerant to high °GL, temperature, and pH variations; supplied in dry form, including custom strains. For sugar mills and ethanol distilleries.
• Pectinex Ultra SP (coffee demucilaging enzyme) Enzyme for coffee demucilaging that reduces processing time from 24–36 hours to up to 3 hours without a mechanical demucilager; increases bean weight by ~3% on average. For coffee processors.
• Complexo Enzimático LNF CNA - CNB (post-harvest coffee treatment) Enzyme complex for post-harvest coffee treatment that improves final product quality, reduces drying time by at least 20%, eliminates unwanted fermentation flavors, and reduces electronic sorting losses by at least 20%. For coffee processors.
• LactoStab (hop acid solution by BetaTec) Aqueous hop-acid solution from CO2 hop extract that selectively inhibits lactic and acetic acid-forming bacteria (Lactobacillus, Pediococcus) during fermentation, improving ethanol yield. For sugar, ethanol, and cachaça producers.
• VitaHop (by BetaTec) Hop-derived micronutrient blend of vitamins and yeast cell-wall extract to enhance yeast vitality and fermentation efficiency; available in liquid or solid form; Kosher certified; free of urea to prevent ethyl carbamate formation. For cereal ethanol and cachaça producers.
• LNF/Angel Cereais Selected Yeasts Two types of special yeasts for cereal fermentation: one for low solid concentration (below 13% ethanol), one for high solid concentration (above 13% ethanol); tolerant to high temperatures up to 42°C; Kosher certified and non-GMO. For cereal ethanol producers.
• Vegetable Gelatin (clarifying agent) Plant-based protein clarifier suitable for Kosher, Halal, and other products; improves juice yield, color, and clarification/filtration efficiency. For Brazilian juice processors.
• Fermentis Yeast Range for Beer (SafAle, SafLager, SafBrew, SafCider) Selected dried yeasts from European sources (Fermentis / Lesaffre) for lagers, ales, and specialty beers, including SafAle S-33, BE-134, T-58, WB-06, BE-256, S-04, US-05, K-97, F-2, SafLager S-23, S189, W-34/70, SafBrew BR-8, LD-20, DA-16, and SafCider. For breweries in Brazil.
• Barth-Haas Hop Products (Isohop, Redihop, Tetrahop Gold, Hexahop Gold, PHA, BBC Pure Hop Pellet, IKE) Distributed hop pellets, CO2 extracts, PHA hop aromas, and specialty hop products from Barth-Haas, the world's largest hop processor (operating since 1794). For breweries in Brazil, including the BBC Pure Hop Pellet developed with Boston Beer Company.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduces coffee demucilation time from 24–36 hours to as little as 3 hours without a mechanical demucilator
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Barth-Haas GroupflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLNF distributes Barth-Haas hop products (pellets, CO2 extracts, PHA hop aromas, Isohop, Redihop, Tetrahop Gold, Hexahop Gold) in Brazil. Barth-Haas is described as the world's largest hop processor, operating since 1794 with offices in Germany, the USA, the UK, Australia, and China. The partnership covers the full hop portfolio including BBC Pure Hop Pellet developed with Boston Beer Company.
• NovozymesflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNovozymes supplies enzymes that LNF distributes in Brazil for coffee processing (Pectinex Ultra SP, enzymatic complex LNF CNA + CNB), juice processing (pectolytic, cellulolytic and amylolytic enzymes), and brewing (Ultraflo, Termamyl, Maturex). Novozymes is described as a world leader in enzymes. The juice segment partnership dates back to 1990.
• Fermentis (Lesaffre)flagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLNF distributes Fermentis dried brewing yeasts in Brazil, including SafAle S-33, BE-134, T-58, WB-06, BE-256, S-04, US-05, K-97, F-2, SafLager S-23, S189, W-34/70, SafBrew BR-8, LD-20, DA-16, and SafCider. Fermentis is described as a pioneer in manufacturing and commercializing dried yeasts for lager beer.
• The SwaencoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLNF distributes The Swaen premium malts for all beer styles in Brazil. The Swaen has over a century of malting history and uses a unique germination system and uniform roasting technology.
• AshlandcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLNF distributes Ashland clarification products for brewing, including Brewbrite (applied in the wort) and Polyclar 10 (used during maturation), aimed at colloidal stability and haze control in finished beer.
• Angel YeastcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAngel provides selected yeasts for cereal-based fermentation co-branded as LNF/Angel Cereais, including strains for low solids (<13% ethanol) and high solids (>13% ethanol) cereal mashes. Strains are Kosher and non-GMO certified, tolerant to temperatures up to 42°C.
• BetaTeccoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBetaTec manufactures the hop-derived product Vitahop (liquid and solid forms) supplied by LNF to the cereal ethanol and cachaça segments. BetaTec also produces LactoStab, a hop-acid solution used as an antibacterial agent in fermentation and yeast propagation.
• Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUFLA isolated and selected the Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain LNF CA-11 from more than 1,800 wild strains specifically for cachaça fermentation. LNF commercializes the resulting proprietary strain.
• Copersucar / FermenteccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSelected Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains for fuel ethanol and sugarcane ethanol were originally isolated by Copersucar and Fermentec and produced abroad to LNF's specifications for commercialization in Brazilian distilleries.
• Instituto Procafé (Varginhas, MG)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCooperation partner for practical trials with LNF enzymes for coffee demucilation in 2014 and 2015 in Brazil, supporting product validation in the coffee segment.
• Kera (Nutrição Animal)flagshipOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerKera is LNF's own animal nutrition division, founded with its own production of silage inoculants and probiotics, and later expanding into mineral supplements. Kera operates as a sub-brand with its own website (kerabrasil.com.br).

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Angel Yeast: Major Chinese yeast manufacturer whose cereal-grade selected yeasts LNF co-brands as LNF/Angel Cereais. Comparable as a global fermentation inputs supplier and as a principal whose partnership economics drive LNF's cereal ethanol offering.
• Lesaffre: Global yeast and fermentation products group and parent of Fermentis (one of LNF's principal distributed brands). Competes with LNF in industrial yeast distribution and is a key principal whose partnership economics directly shape LNF's brewing business.
• Novonesis (formerly Novozymes): World-leading enzyme manufacturer whose products (Ultraflo, Termamyl, Maturex, Pectinex) LNF distributes in Brazil for brewing, juice, and coffee processing. Relevant peer as the upstream principal whose partnership and direct market entry decisions impact LNF's enzyme franchise.
• Kerry Group: Global taste and nutrition ingredients company with fermentation-derived flavors, enzymes, and cultures. Comparable to LNF as a broad fermentation ingredients supplier serving beverage and food customers.
• DSM-Firmenich: Global ingredients giant with animal nutrition (probiotics, silage inoculants via Bovaer-adjacent portfolio), food enzymes, and beverage ingredients. Closely comparable to LNF/Kera's animal nutrition and enzyme distribution business at much larger scale.
• Chr. Hansen: Global supplier of cultures, enzymes, and probiotics for food, beverage, and animal nutrition. Comparable to LNF in selected cultures and fermentation ingredients across beverage and nutrition end-markets.
• AB Mauri: Global yeast and bakery ingredients supplier serving brewing, baking, and industrial fermentation. Comparable as a broad fermentation inputs incumbent with overlapping product categories in yeast and enzymes.

Emerging players

• Biorigin: Brazilian producer of yeast-based ingredients for animal and human nutrition owned by Zilor. Directly comparable to Kera as a domestic peer leveraging fermentation by-products for animal nutrition.

Direct peers

• ICC Brazil: Brazilian supplier of yeast-based ingredients for animal nutrition (ICC Brazil) and industrial fermentation. Direct comparable to LNF/Kera as a domestic competitor in silage inoculants and fermentation-derived feed additives in Brazil.
• Lallemand: Global leader in yeast and bacteria for industrial fermentation across brewing, distilling, ethanol, and animal nutrition. Directly comparable to LNF as a specialist supplier of selected yeast cultures and fermentation inputs to industrial B2B customers.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lnf-latino-americana

Compliance7 records

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

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about LNF