Amyris Biotechnologies Inc. Announces Plans To Expand Through Collaboration And Forming With Wilmar

Amyris Biotechnologies Inc. announced that that it plans to establish a collaboration with Wilmar International Limited. The collaboration will focus on the development and worldwide commercialization of a family of surfactants derived from Amyris Biofene for use in a range of products, including consumer packaged goods, personal care products and industrial applications. The parties expect that these surfactants will be effective replacements for nonylphenol ethoxylate surfactants (NPEs), the use of which is being phased out or severely restricted by regulatory agencies around the world due to health and environmental concerns. The current market for NPEs exceeds $1 billion per year. The plans for the collaboration contemplate that the parties will engage in a feasibility study to complete the technical development of the surfactants, engage in testing activities to validate product performance and customer acceptance and secure necessary regulatory approvals for manufacture and sale of the products. Upon completion of the feasibility study and subject to the execution of definitive agreements, Amyris and Wilmar anticipate forming a joint venture entity, through which they would manufacture the products to be marketed by Wilmar through its established channels. The joint venture may produce its own Biofene for captive use.