Solazyme Expands Fermentation Capability

Solazyme, Inc., a renewable oil and bioproducts company, has completed multiple initial fermentations at ADM’s Clinton, IA facility. In these runs, Solazyme achieved commercial scale production metrics, exhibited linear scalability of its process from laboratory scale, and demonstrated the ability to run at this scale without contamination. The fermentations were conducted in approximately 500,000-liter vessels, which are about four times the scale of the vessels in Solazyme’s Peoria facility. Solazyme is initially targeting annual production of 20,000 metric tons of oil starting in early 2014 at the ADM facility, with targeted expansion to 100,000 metric tons.


Solazyme, Inc., San Francisco, is a renewable oil and bioproducts company that transforms a range of low-cost, plant-based sugars into high-value oils. The company’s renewable products can replace or enhance oils derived from the world’s three existing sources—petroleum, plants and animal fats.Initially, Solazyme is focused on commercializing its products into three target markets: fuels and chemicals, nutrition and skin and personal care.
The scale achieved at ADM’s Clinton facility is comparable to the fermentation equipment currently under construction at the Solazyme Bunge Renewable Oils facility in Brazil. This 100,000 metric ton annual nameplate capacity facility in Brazil is on schedule to begin operations in Q4 2013.