Work to begin on plant for sugarcane-based cosmetic ingredients
The plant is a joint venture with Grupo São Martinho and will produce a renewable hydrocarbon, Biofene, which can be used as an ingredient in detergents, cosmetics, perfumes, industrial lubricants and diesel.
São Martinho will provide the sugarcane syrup feedstock to the plant and Amyris the genetically engineered yeast that converts the syrup into hydrocarbons. The plant, which is to be constructed in the state of São Paolo, will then process the feedstock using a standard fermentation process to produce Biofene.
Amyris CEO John Melo highlighted the importance of São Martinho’s experience in sugarcane processing to the venture.
“São Martinho’s extensive experience is a critical component of the joint venture’s success. São Martinho is regarded as one of the most efficient mill operators in the world,” he said.
Under the joint venture, which was originally entered into in April 2010, Amyris and its subsidiary Amyris Brazil, will finish and market the Biofene-derived products.
Contract manufacturing for early commercialisation
According to the company, the plant is expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2012, but commercialisation of the ingredient for the cosmetics industry may begin earlier.
This advance commercialisation will rely on contract manufacturing of the ingredient, said the company, which has entered into two agreements, one with a Biomin-owned plant in Brazil and another with Tate & Lyle facility in Illinois.
Fragrance ingredient for Firmenich
The news of the São Paolo plant shortly follows the announcement of a collaboration between Amyris and Switzerland-based Firenich to develop a fragrance ingredient.
Although full details of the fragrance ingredient could not be given when it was announced in November last year, Firmenich did say it would launch it worldwide and would target a key area of the personal care industry.
The agreement will see Amyris manufacturing and supplying the fragrance to Firmenich, which in turn will market and distribute it, while profits will be divided between the two companies.
