The commercial venture is based on Amyris’s farnesene fragrance molecules and was begun in 2012 with the the start of a feasibility study to determine whether or not it could be transformed into a successful range of fragrance ingredients.
Now that this has been determined as feasible, the next stage of the co-operation between the two companies will be to commercialize the technology as an ingredients range and launch it on to the global market.
Amyris developed the technology using its synthetic biology platform and has been building up its commercialization relationship with Takasago, which is an international producer of fragrance and flavors, based in Tokyo.
Takasago looks to launch a farnaene-based fragrance range worldwide
Takasago supplies fragrance manufacturers in both the domestic Japanese market, as well as worldwide, having offices in New York, Paris, London, Barcelona, Mexico City, Sao Paulo and Singapore.
"The use of Amyris's renewable farnesene supports Takasago's goal of utilizing innovative, cost-effective and sustainably-sourced materials to make products that impact our customers' daily lives,” said Masayuki Mita, Senior vice president of the Fragrance and Aroma Chemical Division at Takasago.
“These new products will address customer demand resulting from the regulatory phase out of certain existing fragrance ingredients and will be some of the newest and most valuable fragrance ingredients on Takasago's palette."
New fragrance range set for launch in 2015
Takasago says it intends to launch the new range of aroma ingredients based to the global fragrance market during the course of 2015.
Amyris chief business officer, Zanna McFerson, says that Takasago has made significant progress in developing and commercializing a range of fragrance ingredients that has been built around the company’s farnasene technology.
“Takasago's strong scientific and manufacturing expertise is expanding the range of new fragrances made possible through our innovative technology,” McFerson said.
“The new fragrance ingredients should help our partner extend the impact of their products on the diversity of fragrance formulations that perfumers can reach."