Laboratório de Biotecnologia Microbiana - LaBiM

What Laboratório de Biotecnologia Microbiana - LaBiM does

LaBiM (Laboratório de Biotecnologia Microbiana) is a research laboratory embedded within the Instituto de Química at the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It focuses on optimizing and scaling bioprocesses for the production of hydrolases (notably lipases), low-cost enzymatic preparations from agroindustrial residues, biosurfactants, and biopesticides. The laboratory operates both solid-state and submerged fermentation processes and possesses a unique 200-liter pilot plant for scaling submerged cultivation from bench bioreactors to pilot units, primarily for biosurfactants and lipases. Its technical capabilities span enzyme production, purification, immobilization, molecular biology, and homology modeling — including cloning of lipases from filamentous fungi and extremophiles in Pichia pastoris.

The laboratory's go-to-market is research collaboration and service provision rather than commercial product sales. It engages industrial partners through sponsored research projects, joint patents, and service contracts, generating revenue through professional services fees and grant funding from Brazilian federal and state agencies (CNPq, FAPERJ, CAPES). Key industrial partners include Petrobras (via Cenpes), Ambev, Sinochem, Chevron, L'Oreal, 3M, Agropalma, and GCTBio, spanning petroleum, beverage, chemical, cosmetics, and agricultural sectors. The lab maintains a NBR ISO 9001:2015 quality management system, certified at the Troféu Platina (Platinum Trophy) level since March 2025, and has collaboration agreements with major Brazilian universities (USP, Unicamp, UnB, UENF, UERJ, UFSC, UFSCar, UFSM, UESB) and research institutes (Embrapa, Fiocruz). The lab is led by Prof. Denise M.G. Freire (Coordinator) and Prof. Elisa D.C. Cavalcanti (Vice-Coordinator), supported by ~30 personnel including post-docs, doctoral/master's/undergraduate students, and technical staff. LaBiM is a non-profit academic research entity without external equity investors.

Name

Laboratório de Biotecnologia Microbiana - LaBiM

Legal name

Laboratório de Biotecnologia Microbiana

Website

https://labim.iq.ufrj.br

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

LaBiM is a UFRJ research laboratory in Rio de Janeiro that develops and scales bioprocesses for hydrolytic enzymes, biosurfactants, biopesticides, and low-cost enzymatic preparations, serving industrial partners such as Petrobras, Ambev, Sinochem, and Chevron through collaborative research, services, and joint patents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Biotechnology Research Services

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYHLAAAJAF

Bioprocess Development & Scale-Up/Scale-Down Platforms (DoE, high-throughput, modeling)

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Biotechnology & Biologics/Bioprocessing & Biomanufacturing Technology (upstream/downstream, single-use, analytics)

SECONDARYHLAAAJAA

Upstream Bioprocessing Systems & Equipment (cell culture/fermentation, bioreactors, feeds/media)

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Biotechnology & Biologics/Bioprocessing & Biomanufacturing Technology (upstream/downstream, single-use, analytics)

Keywords

• Industrial biotechnology
• Microbial fermentation services
• Enzyme production
• Biosurfactant development
• Bioprocess scale-up

Headquarters

HQ city

Rio de Janeiro

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations

Revenue model

1. Research Services and Consulting: LaBiM provides research services including bioprocess scaling, biological control assays, enzymatic assays, HPLC and GC chromatography analysis, interfacial properties testing, preliminary economic analysis, and patent-related technical consulting. Revenue is generated through service contracts with industrial partners and research grants from funding agencies.
2. Research Project Funding: Research projects funded by industrial partners (Petrobras, Ambev, Sinochem, Chevron, etc.) and Brazilian funding agencies (CNPq, FAPERJ, CAPES). Projects cover enzymatic biodiesel production, biosurfactant production, biopesticide development, and waste valorization.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

LaBiM is a university research laboratory at UFRJ that develops and scales up bioprocesses for producing hydrolases, low-cost enzymatic preparations, biosurfactants, and biopesticides using solid-state and submerged fermentation. The lab offers pilot-scale submerged fermentation services from bench bioreactors to a 200-liter Pilot Unit, enzymatic assays, HPLC and GC chromatography, interfacial property testing, and preliminary economic analysis for industrial and academic partners.

Product overview

The Laboratório de Biotecnologia Microbiana (LaBiM) is a research laboratory at UFRJ offering a portfolio of bioproducts and research services. Its core offerings include Hidrolases (hydrolytic enzymes including lipases), Preparados Enzimáticos de Baixo Custo (low-cost enzymatic preparations from agroindustrial waste), Biossurfactantes (microbial biosurfactants for petroleum applications), Biocontrole (biopesticides and biocontrol agents), and Baixo Carbono (low-carbon solutions including biogas production). Services include scaling up bioprocesses from bench bioreactors to a 200-liter Pilot Unit, enzymatic assays, HPLC and GC analyses, interfacial property testing, and preliminary economic analysis. The lab operates both solid-state and submerged fermentation bioprocesses.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Low-Cost Enzymatic Preparations (Preparados Enzimáticos de Baixo Custo) Enzyme preparations produced via solid-state fermentation from agroindustrial residues for industrial partners in the biodiesel chain and other sectors, including biological detoxification of toxic castor bean residues.
• Biosurfactants (Biossurfactantes)

Quantifiable outcome

• 47% lower production cost for hydrolytic enzyme extract compared to commercial alternatives
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PetrobrascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor strategic partnership through Cenpes (Centro de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Leopoldo Américo Miguêz de Mello) involving multiple projects: biosurfactant production in pilot scale, lipase development and immobilization, enzymatic biodiesel production, biolubricant production, amylase production from agroindustrial waste, and petroleum-derived product development. Holds joint patents with UFRJ.
• AmbevcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on Altered Carbon project and enzymatic production using agricultural residues. Collaboration includes production of glucanases and xylanases (ULTRAFLO®) through solid-state fermentation from malt residue in the PROSPECT-BIO-II network.
• SinochemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership including enzymatic biodiesel production using low-cost alternative raw materials, biosurfactant applications for corn oil recovery post-fermentation, and development of 2G biopesticides for post-harvest action within circular economy context.
• PETROGALcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on flexible plant infrastructure development for biogas production (methane and/or hydrogen) from agroindustrial and urban waste residues.
• AgropalmaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner listed on partnerships page, involved in biotechnology research applications.
• GCTBiominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner specializing in biocontrol, engaged in biological control research collaborations.
• ChevronminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner listed on partnerships page, involved in biotechnology research applications.
• L'OrealminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner listed on partnerships page, involved in biotechnology research applications.
• 3MminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner listed on partnerships page, involved in biotechnology research applications.
• UnBcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Brasília - collaborating institution providing molecular biology expertise and ICB (Institute of Biological Sciences) facilities for enzyme development through genetic engineering techniques.
• USPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of São Paulo - major Brazilian research university collaborating on biotechnology research projects.
• UnicampcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Campinas - major Brazilian research university collaborating on biotechnology research projects.
• EmbrapacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrazilian Agricultural Research Corporation - national agricultural research institute collaborating on biotechnology research applications.
• FiocruzcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOswaldo Cruz Foundation - major Brazilian health research institute collaborating on biotechnology research applications.
• UENFminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState University of the North Fluminense - university partner listed on partnerships page.
• UERJminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState University of Rio de Janeiro - university partner listed on partnerships page.
• UFSCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal University of Santa Catarina - university partner listed on partnerships page.
• UFSCarminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal University of São Carlos - university partner listed on partnerships page.
• UFSMminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal University of Santa Maria - university partner listed on partnerships page.
• UESBminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState University of Southwest Bahia - university partner listed on partnerships page.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights10 records

Broad incumbents

• IFF (DuPont Industrial Biosciences): Global ingredients and biosciences company with a large industrial enzymes, cultures, and bioproducts portfolio serving food, beverage, and home & personal care. Adjacent incumbent with overlapping hydrolase and biosurfactant-adjacent offerings.
• DSM-Firmenich (formerly DSM): Large science-based company with substantial industrial biotechnology and enzyme operations (food, feed, personal care). Overlaps with LaBiM's bioprocess and enzyme application areas as a broad incumbent rather than a niche specialist.
• BASF: Global chemical company with a large industrial biotechnology and enzyme portfolio (including the former c-LEcta and BioTech in-house programs). Broad incumbent with biosurfactant-adjacent and enzyme offerings that compete for the same end-customers as LaBiM.

Emerging players

• Gevo: Renewable fuels and chemicals company producing low-carbon hydrocarbons using bioprocessing. Comparable as an emerging bioproducts company where enzymatic bioprocessing and low-carbon positioning overlap with LaBiM's research themes.
• LanzaTech: Gas fermentation and carbon-capture biotech producing fuels and chemicals via microbial conversion. Comparable as an emerging player in low-carbon bioprocesses — relevant to LaBiM's 'Baixo Carbono' biogas/biomethane line.

Direct peers

• Novonesis (formerly Novozymes): Global leader in industrial enzymes, biosurfactants, and microbial biotechnology. Directly comparable to LaBiM as both produce lipases, hydrolases, and biosurfactants for food, beverage, and energy end-markets, though at vastly greater commercial scale.
• Codexis: Specialty enzyme engineering company developing biocatalysts for pharmaceutical and industrial applications. Comparable to LaBiM in its molecular biology, recombinant enzyme expression (e.g., Pichia pastoris), and protein engineering focus.
• AB Enzymes: Specialty industrial enzyme manufacturer with deep expertise in hydrolases (lipases, proteases) for food, beverage, and detergents. Highly comparable to LaBiM's hydrolase and enzymatic preparation research lines.
• Amano Enzyme: Japanese specialty enzyme manufacturer with strong footprint in lipases, proteases, and food/industrial enzymes. Comparable product portfolio to LaBiM's hydrolytic enzyme research.

Regional players

• Biovale (Brazilian agroindustrial biotech): Brazilian biotechnology company focused on agroindustrial residue valorization and bioproducts. A regional peer sharing LaBiM's Brazilian feedstock economics and circular-economy positioning, though operating as a commercial venture rather than academic lab.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/laborat%C3%B3rio-de-biotecnologia-microbiana

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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