DSM To Develop Biosurfactants

DSM Nutritional Products has entered into a collaboration with SyntheZyme LLC under a Development and Option to License Agreement to develop products based on SyntheZyme LLC's biosurfactant platform. For decades, the production of surfactants for an array of application areas such as agrochemicals, photo chemicals, oil field chemicals, construction materials, foodstuffs, adhesives, lubricants, metal working and mining has relied on the use of complex production processes.

“We are pleased to join with SyntheZyme LLC for the development of biosurfactants manufactured by a yeast fermentation process and modified by simple chemo-enzymatic methods. We see this as an important and versatile route to cost-effective natural and modified surfactant products that will be safe, biodegradable and have high biobased carbon content,” said Norman Salem, corporate scientist, DSM Nutritional Products.

As part of the collaboration, DSM will provide R&D funding to SyntheZyme LLC to support SyntheZyme's costs in developing efficient routes to modified biosurfactants and to evaluate their properties. SyntheZyme will also be eligible to earn milestone payments, license fees, and royalties on product sales if the collaboration is successful.

“SyntheZyme LLC is pleased to join with DSM and in exploring innovative, simple and cost-effective biosurfactant technology solutions through its proprietary biosurfactant technology platform,” said Rich Gross, founder and Chief Technology Officer.

DSM is a global science-based company active in health, nutrition and materials. By connecting its unique competences in Life Sciences and Materials Sciences DSM is driving economic prosperity, environmental progress and social advances to create sustainable value for all stakeholders. DSM delivers innovative solutions that nourish, protect and improve performance in global markets such as food and dietary supplements, personal care, feed, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, automotive, paints, electrical and electronics, life protection, alternative energy and bio-based materials. DSM's 22,000 employees deliver annual net sales of around EUR9 billion. The company is listed on NYSE Euronext. More information can be found at www.dsm.com.