Michroma and CJ CheilJedang Partner to Scale Commercial Production of Natural Colorants

• Announced a strategic partnership to advance the commercial manufacturing of Michroma's bio-colorants.
   
• Michroma's first colorant product will be discussed with CJ CheilJedang for commercial production

SAN FRANCISCO and SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Michroma, a biotech pioneer in sustainable natural colorants, and CJ CheilJedang (CJCJ), a global leader in food and biotechnology, today announced a strategic partnership to advance the commercial manufacturing of Michroma's innovative biotech-based colorants.

This collaboration will harness CJCJ's world-class manufacturing capabilities in key global locations, including Indonesia, China, Malaysia, the United States, Brazil, and South Korea, to scale Michroma's groundbreaking colorant technology. By utilizing CJCJ's geographically diverse operations, Michroma will ensure a steady, scalable, and reliable supply chain for its innovative natural colorants while reducing the risks of supply disruptions. This partnership aims to meet the rapidly growing demand for natural and clean-label color solutions in food, beverage, cosmetics, and other industries.

"Our mission at Michroma is to set a new standard for sustainable, natural colorants, and this partnership with CJ CheilJedang is a critical step in that journey," said Ricky Cassini, CEO of Michroma. "Partnering with CJ CheilJedang allows us to bring our innovations to market at scale, offering reliable, high-performance natural solutions that address the needs of global manufacturers."

Michroma's first product, a natural red colorant produced through precision fermentation, delivers exceptional pH and thermal stability, making it ideal for demanding food, beverage, and cosmetics applications. This partnership with CJCJ not only accelerates commercialization but also provides access to CJCJ's expertise in raw material procurement, advanced production processes, and regulatory compliance.

"We are excited to collaborate with Michroma to revolutionize the natural colorant industry. CJ CheilJedang's expansive manufacturing footprint and operational excellence make us the ideal partner for Michroma's innovative products," said an official from CJ CheilJedang. "Our ability to operate across key global markets and maintain consistent output aligns with Michroma's vision to redefine performance standards in the natural colorant sector."

The agreement includes technology validation and other steps necessary for seamless production and distribution, paving the way for future opportunities to expand Michroma's product portfolio. Together, the companies aim to redefine the natural colorant industry, prioritizing consistency, reliability, and superior performance.

About Michroma
Michroma is a biotech company specializing in producing high-performance natural colorants through precision fermentation. With a mission to replace artificial ingredients, Michroma empowers industries to adopt cleaner solutions without compromising quality or performance. For more information, visit www.michroma.co.

About CJ CheilJedang
CJ CheilJedang is a South Korea-based food & bio company operating globally. Founded in 1953 as the first Korean sugar manufacturer, it is now leading the global food industry with its renowned bibigo K-food products. It also provides advanced bioproducts including feed and food additives made by its cutting-edge, fermentation-based bioengineering technologies. CJ CheilJedang is part of CJ Group, an international company in the fields of Food & Food Services, Bio & Pharma, Entertainment & Media, and Retail & Logistics. For more information, visit https://www.cj.co.kr/en

For media inquiries, please contact:

Michroma
[email protected]

CJ CheilJedang
[email protected]

SOURCE Michroma