Unilever inks renewable oils deal with Solazyme for use in consumer goods
Consumer goods company Unilever has agreed to a multi-year supply deal with US-based Solazyme in which Unilever will purchase commercial quantities of Solazyme’s renewable oils.
Specific terms were not disclosed.
“Unilever’s commitment to help develop products formulated with Solazyme renewable oils represents a milestone in the market validation of our tailored oil technology,” said Jonathan Wolfson, CEO of Solazyme.
“Our technology platform presents a unique opportunity for Unilever to develop innovative, new products with enhanced consumer benefits while advancing their sustainable living plan,” he added.
“Unilever has consistently led the consumer goods industry towards greater sustainability and our technology, coupled with Unilever’s scale and reach creates a compelling opportunity to improve product quality while facilitating sustainable living.”
Neal Matheson, Unilever’s chief technology officer, said: “Unilever has an ambition to double its business and halve its environmental impact.
“To realize this ambition, under what we call our sustainable living plan, we are committed to sourcing 100% of our agricultural raw materials sustainably by 2020,” Matheson continued.
“The relationship with Solazyme, which has been developed over several years, will help us honor this commitment, as their technology platform provides a unique opportunity to integrate sustainable raw materials into our production lines while positively impacting our environmental efforts and bringing better products to our consumers.”
Initially, the two parties will continue focusing innovation efforts on the production of tailored oils for use in soap and personal care product applications, while committing additional efforts to developing new tailored oils for use in other applications, they said.
Since 2009, the two companies have been collaborating on the research and development of tailored oils utilizing Solazyme’s technology platform and Unilever’s expertise in the consumer goods sector.
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