Soliance and Amyris tie-up to produce squalane
Partnership commercialises synthetic biology
Cosmetic ingredient supplier Soliance and integrated renewable products company Amyris have formed a partnership that will combine Amyris’ industrial synthetic biology platform with Soliance’s leading position in the production and commercialisation of renewable cosmetic ingredients. In particular Amyris’ technology will be used to produce squalane for use in cosmetics.
Manufacture of farnesene, or Biofene, has already begun at Soliance’s industrial fermentation facilities using Amyris’ biotech process. This will be converted to squalane which Soliance will market to the cosmetics industry. The partnership also plans to extend manufacture to Brazil, where Amyris has a subsidiary, and possibly additional sites in Europe, with profits shared by Soliance and Amyris.
“Amyris’ ability to design yeast to produce renewable squalane offers a new opportunity for bio-sourced cosmetic ingredients with two distinct value propositions for our customers: sourcing from sustainable material and providing steady supply,” says Frederique Lafosse, general manager of Soliance. “We believe our alliance with Amyris is an important milestone for the future of renewable cosmetics.”
John Melo, ceo of Amyris added: “Our partnership with Soliance expands our emerging product portfolio into the high value cosmetics market, and links our synthetic biology technology with a leading innovator for bio-sourced cosmetic ingredients.”
