Solazyme Begins Commercial Production of Renewable Algal Oils at Iowa Facilities

Solazyme, Inc. announced yesterday that commercial operations have commenced at both Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM)’s Clinton, Iowa facility, and the downstream companion facility operated by American Natural Products in Galva, Iowa (ANP). Highlighting the flexibility of Solazyme’s technology platform, Solazyme, ADM and ANP have successfully manufactured three distinct and unique Tailored oil products at the facilities, and products are currently being sold and distributed in both the U.S. and Brazil. Volumes shipped to Brazil are being utilized for market development activity in advance of the opening of the Solazyme Bunge Renewable Oils Moema facility. As stated previously, production at the ADM and ANP facilities is expected to ramp to a nameplate capacity of 20,000 MT/yr within 12-18 months, with targeted potential expansion to 100,000 MT/yr in subsequent years.

“This is a critical milestone for Solazyme’s large scale commercial manufacturing capabilities. The Solazyme, ADM and ANP teams have done an excellent job bringing up commercial operations at the Iowa facilities with Solazyme’s Tailored oil production technology. We have already successfully produced three Tailored oil products at scale and have begun selling these products into the North American marketplace,” said Jonathan Wolfson, CEO Solazyme. “Consistent with our stated plans, we are focused initially on ensuring consistent and reliable operations as we build customer trust. While we acknowledge that it is still early days, we look forward to the opportunity to expand our production volume and the slate of oil products available.”

Truckloads of product are now shipping from the Iowa operations for use in applications including lubricants, metalworking and home and personal care. These shipments are being made pursuant to multiple supply agreements as well as spot purchases, and include reorders.

In the high-performance lubricants and metalworking fluids industries, Solazyme’s Renewable Tailored algal oils help to provide outstanding performance and a sustainable solution with better lubrication, surface tension and viscosity index, plus enhanced stability at elevated temperature, pressure and speed. In home and personal care, Solazyme’s Tailored algal oils offer better performance and a more sustainable alternative to existing oils.