Givaudan establishes strategic partnership with renewable chemical company Amyris, Inc.

A global leader in fragrance and beauty innovation, Givaudan announced in a press release last week that it has secured an acquisition deal with leading synthetic biotechnology company Amyris, Inc.

As detailed in the release, the long-term partnership agreement includes “a combination of an upfront cash consideration and a performance based earnout, along with a long-term manufacturing agreement, subject to customary review and approvals from the relevant regulatory authorities​.”

Acquisition potential 

The acquisition is a significant driver of Givaudan’s 2025 business strategy to expand product offerings through its Active Beauty business. It will allow Amyris, Inc. to continue providing ingredients used in cosmetics formulations. Further, as outlined in the deal terms, Givaudan will assume the position of commercialization partner for future sustainable beauty products through the opportunity to access Amyris, Inc.’s innovative processes.

As shared in the press release, Markus Rassmann, Head of Active Beauty at Givaudan, stated that “today, we have the widest offering of biotech cosmetic ingredients on the market. We are proud to expand our Active Beauty portfolio with key active cosmetic ingredients from our long-standing partner Amyris​.”

Some key ingredients of interest included in the deal terms are “Neossance Squalane, a high performant emollient, Neossance Hemisqualane, a plant-based silicone alternative, and CleanScreen, a sustainable sun protector​.”

Key active cosmetic ingredients

As the Amyris, Inc. website details, Neossance Squalane is “the highest quality and most versatile emollient used in a wide variety of applications such as skin care, sun care, color cosmetics, makeup removal, and deodorants​.” Originally harvested from the livers of deep-sea sharks, squalane, the more stable hydrogenated version of squalene, offers cosmetics and personal beauty product manufacturers the opportunity to formulate product options that provide consumers with proven moisturizing and anti-aging benefits.

Neossance Hemisqualane, in contrast, “is the preferred sustainable and naturally-derived alternative to silicone by top global brands​,” as explained by Amyris, Inc. A sustainable option for hair care product manufacturers seeking to replace heavy silicones in their formulations, Neossance Hemisqualane, is a fermentation-derived plant-based ingredient option that is a functional alternative to banned silicones. 

Finally, CleanScreen Z60SF, as explained by Aprinnova, is a combination of Zinc Oxide, Squalane, Lecithin, and Silica which provides “non-whitening, mineral-based broad-UV protection that doesn’t enter the bloodstream​” without petrochemicals or silicones. The formulation mitigates unwanted white cast when consumers use end-products and offers UVA/UVB protection for protective skin care and color cosmetic products.

Merging missions

“We share the same values with Givaudan, offering sustainable consumer products to improve peoples’ lives while protecting the environment​,” said John Melo, Amyris President, and Chief Executive Officer, in the recent release. “Today, we are reaching a major new step in our commercial partnership that we are very proud of, and this transaction is a major step forward in funding our growth and enabling us to reach operating profitability​.”

Added Maurizio Volpi, President of Fragrance & Beauty at Givaudan, the deal “fits perfectly with our 2025 strategic ambitions to develop our Active Beauty business while leveraging our biotechnology leadership in partnership with Amyris’ expertise​.” The strategic partnership agreement allows both companies to “push the boundaries of biotech, creating new sustainable innovations for a better Beauty future​” in tandem with the proper financial and commercial support required for success.