US biotech firm Amyris has successfully started fermentation of personal care ingredients at its new plant in Barra Bonita, Brazil.
The plant's capacity is fully committed through the end of 2023 with the production of natural vanillin, sugarcane-based Reb M, squalane, squalene, hemisqualene and patchouli along with other molecules.
The plant consists of five precision fermentation ‘mini-factories’ capable of concurrently producing all 13 of Amyris' molecules currently in the market as well as future bio-fermented products.
Amyris said the first of its kind precision fermentation plant is a strategic investment made to meet rapidly growing demand for clean, sustainable, chemistry-based products for the beauty, personal care, health and wellness markets.
The plant will allow the company to be more efficiently meet demand from its ingredient customers after several years of operating under third-party capacity supply constraints, it added.
"The commissioning and start-up of our Barra Bonita facility is a significant milestone for Amyris. I am very proud of the team that has engineered and constructed our new plant in record time and during an unprecedented pandemic," said chief operating officer Eduardo Alvarez.
"Our team has delivered the world's leading precision fermentation facility for producing natural products using highly engineered organisms. Over 800 people have played an important role in the successful execution of this project.”
