ARD – RESEARCH & BIOTECHNOLOGIES

Our provision of services for industrial scaling of biotechnology-based processes performed very strongly during the year: 100% of its projects have completed successfully, and full satisfaction is reported for all ARD customers. Both the order bank and workload plan are full until 2024. To support this impressive growth, at the same time as delivering on the expectations of its customers, ARD is doubling the capacity of its industrial demonstrator. These new facilities will enable the teams to continue with joint development of two particular aspects of their business that make them unique and highly respected: R&D for the pre-industrial development of processes for use with molecules of interest, and contract manufacture. Work began on this project early in 2022, and remains on schedule. The final phase is slated for January 2023. Some 20 employees were recruited and trained in 2022 to support the eventual ramp-up of these new production capacities (see inset).

Rich in natural micro-organisms, bio-inputs offer a realistic alternative to petroleum-based plant protection products. The teams at ARD have done a great deal of work on the technical and regulatory aspects to facilitate the greater use of bio-inputs for field crops. These advances were showcased at the 2022 Foire de Châlons agricultural show and a dedicated morning session, which concluded with the signature of a charter by 36 Grand Est region stakeholders.

The results of Wheatoleo, the ARD subsidiary that specialises in surfactant production and marketing, have been penalised by rising energy costs and raw material prices, which have led to some customers postponing product launches. Nevertheless, significant contracts are now being finalised with major customers on the basis that ARD’s green surfactants are consistent with their CSR policies and meet local production requirements. New investment and recruitment are planned for 2022/2023 to cope with the forecast increases in capacity.