Specialty chemicals from algae

30-Sep-10

BASF SE and Solix Biofuels, Inc. have signed an agreement to investigate the use of algae to produce certain chemicals for BASF. Solix is a leading developer of algae cultivation technology systems and will test multiple algae species in its proprietary growth system, AGS™, for BASF. Further terms were not announced. As the world's leading chemical company, BASF is continuously exploring innovative technologies to provide products to its customers. The use of algae, which consume CO2 as part of their growth cycle, could potentially provide an attractive way to produce certain chemicals from a renewable source. "This collaboration with Solix Biofuels demonstrates BASF's commitment to generate growth from industrial biotechnology," said Harald Lauke, President of the Specialty Chemicals Research at BASF. "Algae represent a fascinating addition to BASF's technology portfolio as they offer the potential to produce a number of exciting specialty products. After surveying the algae industry, we chose to work with Solix based on its knowledge of algal biology and the strength of its AGS." "We are excited to begin this important development with BASF," said Doug Henston, Solix Biofuels' CEO. "Algae offer the potential to produce a diversity of chemical products in addition to their fuel potential. We believe our AGS offers a high unique level of flexibility in its production capability, ideally suited for the ultimate large-scale cultivation of a broad range of algae species with multiple commercial applications. This partnership affords us the opportunity to work with a leader in the chemical industry to produce some unique chemical products from algae while continuing to pursue the production of fuel from algae."