Amyris and Kuraray to develop new polymers

Amyris, Inc., based in Emeryville, California, U.S.A., has signed an agreement with Kuraray Co. to develop new polymers using Amyris’ Biofene using the company’s proprietary technology. Biofene is a renewable hydrocarbon building material. Kuraray is looking at using Biofene as a replacement for petroleum-based feedstock to produce polymers. “We are very excited to partner with Amyris, a leading renewable products company, to develop innovative polymer products with Biofene. 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,” said Yasuhiro Yamamoto, director and senior executive officer for Kuraray. “We are committed to bringing innovative, high performing and sustainable products to the polymers market. 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,” said John Melo, CEO of Amyris. (August 1, 2011)