BASF and Solazyme Launch the First Commercial Microalgae-Derived Betaine Surfactant

BASF and Solazyme, Inc., a renewable microalgae oil and ingredients company, announce the launch of the first commercial surfactant derived from microalgae oil, a high performance algal betaine for use in home and personal care applications.

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Commercialized by BASF under the trade name Dehyton^® AO 45, algal betaine is a betaine surfactant made from renewable microalgae oil. The new algal betaine is a high- performance alternative to amidopropyl betaine in products that require rich and gentle foam such as shampoos, liquid soaps, hand dishwashing liquids, and other applications. Amidopropyl betaines are amphoteric surfactants increasingly used in cosmetic, toiletry and home care applications due to their vast benefits and are known to have: good detergency, good foam properties and foam stabilization, hard water compatibility, mildness to skin and hair, ability to reduce irritation of anionic systems, viscosity building, conditioning effect, stability at a broad range of pH, and excellent biodegradability.

Dehyton^® AO 45 is produced with Solazyme AlgaPūr™ Microalgae Oils. AlgaPūr™ Oils are produced with Solazyme’s state-of-the-art technology in a matter of days, using a highly controlled fermentation process to convert sugarcane into oils of the highest purity and performance. AlgaPūr™ Microalgae Oils are produced with low carbon, water and land use impact¹.

“Consumer demand for sustainable and innovative surfactants has increased significantly, particularly in the home and personal care markets,” said Josef Koester, Director Marketing Home and Personal Care, Sustainability Care Chemicals, BASF North America. “Combining BASF’s chemistry expertise with Solazyme’s unique range of renewable microalgae oils allows us to deliver products that meet this demand.”

“We are excited to partner with BASF to launch the world’s first commercial microalgae-derived betaine surfactant.” said Robert Webber, Chief Commercialization Officer, Solazyme. “BASF’s broad capabilities in chemical conversion of triglyceride oils and deep expertise in surfactants enable significant growth opportunities in the future.”

About Solazyme

Solazyme, Inc. develops and sells innovative, sustainable, high-performance oils and ingredients that are better for people and better for the planet. Starting with microalgae, the world’s original source of oil, Solazyme creates renewable oils and ingredients that serve as the foundation for healthier foods; high-performance industrial products; unique home and personal care solutions; and more sustainable fuels. Headquartered in South San Francisco, Solazyme’s mission is to solve some of the world’s biggest problems with one of the world’s smallest and earliest life forms: microalgae. For additional information, please visit Solazyme’s website at www.solazyme.com.

About BASF

BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has more than 17,000 employees in North America, and had sales of $20.6 billion in 2014. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, visit www.basf.us

At BASF, we create chemistry – and have been doing so for 150 years. Our portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. As the world’s leading chemical company, we combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Through science and innovation, we enable our customers in nearly every industry to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring nutrition and improving quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF had sales of over €74 billion in 2014 and around 113,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com

¹ http://solazyme.com/sustainability/?lang=en

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