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Amyris and So Martinho Announce Construction Manager Selection and Start of Site Preparation for Joint Venture Industrial Plant

^{Published on 2010-12-21 13:41:08 - Market Wire}
 

EMERYVILLE, Calif. & SO PAULO--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Amyris, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMRS) and Grupo So Martinho (SA:SMTO3) today announced that they had contracted with a construction manager for their joint venture industrial plant and that they are commencing preparation of the construction site for the plant. The parties established their joint venture, SMA Indstria Qumica S.A., in April 2010 to create the first facility fully dedicated to the production of Amyris renewable products. The joint venture plant is located at Usina So Martinho, the largest-scale site for sugarcane processing in the world at approximately 8.5 million tons of annual crush, located in Pradpolis, So Paulo state. The project is on track and is expected to be completed during the second quarter of 2012.

"We have been working closely with Amyris on this undertaking since April, and are pleased with the pace of this project. We are excited with this diversification into value-added bio-based chemicals."

Amyris and So Martinho have engaged CNEC WorleyParsons as the construction manager for the project and have secured the construction permit issued by the environmental agency of the state of So Paulo. Amyris has been working with CH2MHill to develop the engineering designs for the plant.

aThis is an exciting day for So Martinho, as we partner with Amyris to deliver renewable chemicals produced directly from our cane,a said Fabio Venturelli, CEO of Grupo So Martinho. aWe have been working closely with Amyris on this undertaking since April, and are pleased with the pace of this project. We are excited with this diversification into value-added bio-based chemicals.a

aSo Martinhoa™s extensive experience is a critical component of the joint venturea™s success,a said John Melo, CEO of Amyris. aSo Martinho is regarded as one of the most efficient mill operators in the world.a

Amyris and So Martinho plan for the joint venture plant to produce Biofenea", a renewable hydrocarbon, which would be used as an ingredient in a wide range of consumer and industrial products, including detergents, cosmetics, perfumes, industrial lubricants, and diesel. Amyris will provide the joint venture with genetically engineered yeast that converts sugar into hydrocarbons, and So Martinho will provide the feedstock in the form of sugarcane syrup. The plant will then process the feedstock through a standard fermentation process to produce the Biofene. Under the terms of the joint venture, Amyris and its subsidiary, Amyris Brasil, S.A., will finish and market the final Biofene-derived products to customers.

In advance of the So Martinho Amyris plant completion, Amyris expects to begin to commercialize Biofene primarily in the cosmetics industry and as a lubricant using contract manufacturing. Amyris has entered into agreements for contract manufacturing starting in 2011 at a facility of Biomin GMBH located in Piracicaba, Brazil and at a facility of Tate & Lyle located in Decatur, IL.

About Amyris

Amyris is building an integrated renewable products company by applying industrial synthetic biology to genetically modify microorganisms to serve as living factories. Amyris designs these microorganisms to produce defined molecules for use as renewable chemicals and transportation fuels. Amyris Brasil S.A., a subsidiary of Amyris, oversees the establishment and expansion of Amyrisa™s production in Brazil. In addition, Amyris is building fuels distribution capabilities in the United States through its subsidiary, Amyris Fuels LLC. More information about Amyris and its subsidiaries is available at [ www.amyris.com ].

About Usina So Martinho

Usina So Martinho in Pradpolis is the largest processor of sugarcane in the world, milling approximately 8 million tons per harvest. Founded in 1948 and currently employing more than 4,000 people, the mill stands out as one of the most modern in Brazil - not only by size but also by advanced production processes in agricultural, industrial and preferred logistics. More information about So Martinho is available at [ www.saomartinho.ind.br ].

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements, and any statements other than statements of historical facts could be deemed to be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements regarding future events (such as statements regarding Amyrisa™s expectations regarding completion of a new plant and commercialization of Amyris products) that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements are based on managementa™s current expectations and actual results and future events may differ materially due to risks and uncertainties, including those associated with any delays in production and commercialization of products and other risks detailed in the aRisk Factorsa section of Amyrisa™s final prospectus for its initial public offering, as filed on September 28, 2010 pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, and its quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed on November 10, 2010. Amyris disclaims any obligation to update information contained in these forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Amyris and Biofene are trademarks or registered trademarks of Amyris, Inc.