Contract between Amyris and Kuraray to develop innovative polymer from Biofene™

06-Aug-11

Amyris Inc. has signed a collaboration contract with Kuraray Co., Ltd. to develop innovative polymers from Biofene™, a renewable hydrocarbon building block made using Amyris’ technology. According to the contract, Biofene will be the feedstock used by Kurary instead of petroleum-derived feedstock such as butadiene and isoprene in the production of specified classes of high-performing polymers. When technical development program for the first polymer will be completed, both the companies will enter into a supply agreement for Kuraray’s exclusive use of Biofene in the manufacturing and commercialization of polymer products. “We are very excited to partner with Amyris, a leading renewable products company, to develop innovative polymer products with Biofene,” said Yasuhiro Yamamoto, director and senior executive officer of Kuraray. “We are confident the new Biofene polymer products will become important additions to our product portfolio and be an integral part of our growth strategy.” “We are committed to bringing innovative, high-performing and sustainable products to the polymers market,” said John Melo, CEO of Amyris. “Partnering with an industry leader like Kuraray allows us to expand the use of Biofene to produce high-performance polymers as well as strengthen our timely and successful route to market.”