Food-tech company Pentasweet has laid the foundations for its brazzein sweet protein factory in Vilnius, Lithuania, backed by €65 million investment.

The major national investment project has entered its next phase with a symbolic capsule placed into the foundations of the future factory’s site. The facility is expected to begin operations in the first half of 2027.

Covering more than 8,000 square metres on a 1.2-hectare site, the factory will become Europe’s first dedicated production centre for brazzein, according to Pentasweet.

Brazzein is a sweet protein that is 1,500 times sweeter than sugar, offering opportunities for the food industry to reduce sugar content without compromising taste or functionality. Due to its molecular properties as a pure protein, it does not negatively affect the human microbiota or cause blood glucose spikes.

Pentasweet’s technology enables production of brazzein via precision fermentation, eliminating reliance on scarce natural resources – brazzein is naturally derived from a fruit growing in Central and West Africa. The process also enables further efficient use of raw materials, with resulting side streams to be directed toward energy generation such as biofuel production.

Lithuania’s Ministry of Economy and Innovation has granted Pentasweet the status of major investment project due to its contribution to the development of innovation in the country. The plant is expected to strengthen Lithuania’s position in life sciences, and open export opportunities to international markets.

Lithuania’s Prime Minister, Inga Ruginienė, said: “The Pentasweet factory is the first brazzein production center of its kind in Europe, demonstrating that Lithuania can be among global leaders in life sciences. This is a meaningful investment not only in the economy but also in people’s health.”

Most processes at the factory will be automated and around 30 new highly qualified jobs will be created, from biotechnologists to automation specialists.

The project is partially financed through a loan from the National Development Bank ILTE.