Amyris, a US-based biotech firm, has signed a multi-year supply agreement for several hundred tons of itsEcocert certified renewable squalane with Nikko Chemicals for distribution in the Japanese market.

Squalane is known as a very efficient emollient but is widely neglected by formulators because of supply difficulties. Historically, squalane was unsustainably sourced from shark liver. On the contrary, Amyris produces a sugarcane-derived squalane that is entirely renewable.

John Melo, CEO of Amyris

According to John Melo, CEO of Amyris, the agreement will allow the company to expand its sales volumes of renewably-sourced squalane. Indeed, Amyris already markets this product in Europe in partnership with French supplier of cosmetic ingredients Soliance, and the agreement with Nikko Chemicals should bring the company the opportunity to reach additional customers in another key cosmetics market.

This is a first-of-its-kind opportunity to deliver a reliable supply of sustainably-derived squalane, and we are excited to play a major role in making this possible,” said Shigeru Sekine, president of Nikko Chemicals. “We have been in the squalane business for over half a century and are pleased to be working with Amyris to expand the use of this high-value emollient in the Japanese market.