Unlock New Opportunities for Thought Leadership with SB Webinars

Solazyme and AkzoNobel Expand Algal Oil Partnership

Solazyme, Inc, a pioneer in renewable oils and bioproducts, and AkzoNobel, a global producer of paint, coatings and specialty chemicals, announced today they have expanded their previous agreement for the joint development of Tailored™ algal oils. The expansion provides for funded development, as well as agreed key terms for a multi-year supply agreement targeting annual supply of up to 10,000 MT of the oils, pending successful product development.The parties expect that the algal oil will be able to replace both petroleum- and palm oil-derived chemicals. The target product is designed to have improved functional and environmental performance, as well as a lower overall cost to AkzoNobel.

Solazyme, Inc, a pioneer in renewable oils and bioproducts, and AkzoNobel, a global producer of paint, coatings and specialty chemicals, announced today they have expanded their previous agreement for the joint development of Tailored™ algal oils. The expansion provides for funded development, as well as agreed key terms for a multi-year supply agreement targeting annual supply of up to 10,000 MT of the oils, pending successful product development.

The parties expect that the algal oil will be able to replace both petroleum- and palm oil-derived chemicals. The target product is designed to have improved functional and environmental performance, as well as a lower overall cost to AkzoNobel.

“This expanded partnership marks an important step forward in our relationship while underscoring the importance we place on developing sustainable, high-performance products,” said Solazyme CEO Jonathan Wolfson. “The product development effort not only advances our technology platform into valuable new chemistries, but it also outlines the critical aspects of a long-term supply agreement.”

“This agreement shows we follow through on our strategies and partnership commitments,” said Peter Nieuwenhuizen, AkzoNobel’s Director of Innovation and Partnerships, who heralded his company’s partnership with Solazyme in a piece earlier this month. “We identified Solazyme to complement our own capabilities, and have now agreed on a joint target that should deliver a triple win: for AkzoNobel, for Solazyme, as well as yielding more sustainable products for our customers and the world as part of our Planet Possible approach to sustainability.”

Product development is expected to commence immediately, and the parties anticipate entering into a definitive supply agreement as they near completion of product development.

This is not the first partnership of its kind for Solazyme, which in September announced a similar agreement with Unilever – the consumer goods giant’s Lux soap is now the world’s first soap brand to be made with algal oil.

Upcoming Events

October 13-16, 2025
SB'25 San Diego
US Event
More Information

Thursday, December 5, 2024
Circularity by Design: How to Influence Sustainable Consumer Behaviors
Webinar
Sponsored by Sustainable Brands
More Information

December 11-12, 2024
SB Member Network: Shifting Customer Behavior and Demand December Member Meeting
Member Event
Sponsored by Amazon
More Information

Related Stories

How Can Businesses Rethink Packaging to Support Circularity? MATERIALS & PACKAGING
How Can Businesses Rethink Packaging to Support Circularity?
BMW, Volkswagen Eyeing Plant-Based Future for Car Interiors MATERIALS & PACKAGING
BMW, Volkswagen Eyeing Plant-Based Future for Car Interiors
How Does Consumer Behavior Challenge the Circular Economy? MATERIALS & PACKAGING
How Does Consumer Behavior Challenge the Circular Economy?
erthos: Giving the Plastics Industry an AI-Driven, Biobased Upgrade MATERIALS & PACKAGING
erthos: Giving the Plastics Industry an AI-Driven, Biobased Upgrade
Nissan’s ‘Cool Paint’ Will Cut Car-Interior Heat, Energy Use INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY
Nissan’s ‘Cool Paint’ Will Cut Car-Interior Heat, Energy Use
MIT Team Creates Clean Hydrogen with Seawater, Soda Cans, Caffeine INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY
MIT Team Creates Clean Hydrogen with Seawater, Soda Cans, Caffeine