14 May 2018 --- Japanese specialty chemical company Kaneka Corporation has acquired 34.8 percent of Spanish owned AB-Biotics (ABB) who focus on the research, development and distribution of lactic acid bacteria products. The agreement also grants Kaneka the exclusive rights for production and sales of ABB’s products in the US, Canada and Japan. The company hopes to accomplish 10 billion yen (US$91 million) in sales by 2022, by developing and launching differentiated new probiotic products in the fast-growing market.