Amyris Signs Multi-Year Contract To Supply Renewable Squalane To Nikko Chemicals

Leading Japanese Cosmetic Specialty Chemical Provider to Buy Amyris Renewable Products

Amyris, Inc. has signed a multi-year supply agreement for several hundred tons of Amyris renewable squalane with Nikko Chemicals Co., Ltd. for distribution in the Japanese market.

"Now that we have commissioned our first three Biofene production sites, we are thrilled to expand our sales volumes of renewably-sourced squalane and provide additional customers with a reliable supply of this best-in-class emollient," said John Melo, CEO of Amyris.

"This is a first-of-its-kind opportunity to deliver a reliable supply of sustainably-derived squalane, and we are excited to play a major role in making this possible," said Shigeru Sekine, president of Nikko Chemicals. "We have been in the squalane business for over half a century and are pleased to be working with Amyris to expand the use of this high-value emollient in the Japanese market."

Amyris and Nikko Chemicals are exploring additional Biofene-based cosmetic commercialization opportunities as part of Nikko's GCS+E (Green, Clean, Sustainable + Economy) strategy, which puts environmental concerns at the heart of all business activities.

Squalane is a high-end moisturizing ingredient used in a wide range of cosmetics today, currently sourced from shark liver oil or refined olive oil. Amyris squalane, which is produced from Biofene, Amyris's renewable farnesene, is renewably sourced from sugarcane, of high purity and has excellent stability. Amyris squalane, which is now ECOCERT certified, has been successfully tested and integrated in end products by its partners and customers.

SOURCE: Amyris, Inc.