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METabolic EXplorer — Environmental & Social Information 2009
Dec 8, 2009
1519_rns_2009-12-08_7a877499-144c-472d-b746-b063666f1f3d.pdf
Environmental & Social Information
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METabolic EXplorer and ROQUETTE press release:
Technical advances in the Glycolic Acid programme during the pre-industrial pilot phase are a further significant milestone in the creation of a new value chain.
Clermont-Ferrand, December 8th 2009. – ROQUETTE, one of the world's most advanced starch and starch-derivatives businesses, and METabolic EXplorer, a green chemistry company that specializes in the development of bioprocesses for the production of chemical compounds used in a wide range of everyday products, today announced further advances as part of their exclusive bio-sourced Glycolic Acid (GA) partnership as part of their BIOHUB® programme.
The competitive nature of the METabolic EXplorer bioprocess paves the way for a new, sustainable value chain for the production and sale of glycolic acid made from renewable raw materials. METabolic EXplorer has developed a strain to produce GA in large quantities in an organic process. Roquette, which is responsible for pre-industrial pilot and full-scale production of the strain, has demonstrated the effectiveness of the METabolic EXplorer process by replicating the performance of the process in a pre-industrial pilot by manufacturing batches of GA.
Glycolic acid is a chemical compound currently used in cosmetics and industrial detergents. Polymers derived from GA, such as PGA*, are used to manufacture biosourced plastics which notably offer unique gas barrier properties. This market is estimated to amount to over 500,000 metric tons in 2010 (source: Dupont News, 1 April 2008).
Jean-Bernard Leleu, Roquette's Executive Vice-President, said: "METabolic EXplorer has taken up a full-blown technological challenge by developing an organic GA production process. Advances in our work on the pre-industrial process have demonstrated that the process is efficient. We are consequently making progress towards developing solutions for the bio-sourced plastics industry testifying to the potential for sustainable innovation in the framework of the BIOHUB® programme."
Benjamin Gonzalez, Chairman of the METabolic EXplorer Management Board, added: "The process developed by METabolic EXplorer delivers substantial economic gains compared with the conventional, formol (formaldehyde) chemical process, which is complex and costly. This economic competitiveness with its improved environmental footprint, makes our process especially attractive both for our partners upstream and those downstream, notably for the development of highperformance bioplastics."
* (Polyglycolic acid: a glycolic acid polymer)
About the exclusive Glycolic Acid partnership programme between METabolic EXplorer and Roquette In 2006 METabolic EXplorer signed a development agreement with Roquette, one of the world's most advanced starch and starch-derivatives businesses, with an exclusive licensing option to industrialise its patented bioprocess and to market Glycolic Acid. The partnership is a component of the BIOHUB® cereals biorefinery programme launched and spearheaded by Roquette.
About ROQUETTE - www.roquette.com
ROQUETTE is one of Europe's largest and one of the world's most advanced starch and starchderivatives businesses and world leader in polyols (sugar alcohols). ROQUETTE derives over 650 products from six million tonnes of maize, wheat, peas and potatoes, and adds outstanding value to over 500,000 hectares of agricultural output. ROQUETTE has annual sales of more than EUR 2 billion and employs some 6,000 people worldwide.
ROQUETTE is a private family business dedicated to long-term development. With production facilities in Europe, North America and Asia, ROQUETTE serves customers all over the world in the food, paper/board, biochemicals, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and animal nutrition sectors.
The company is headquartered in Lestrem (France). More information: www.roquette.com. For more information on the BioHub® programme, please visit www.biohub.fr
About METabolic EXplorer - www.metabolic-explorer.com
METabolic EXplorer is a biological chemistry company which was incorporated in 1999. Its goal is to help industrial businesses deal with the heralded "end of oil", so that they can continue to manufacture but in a sustainable way.
Based on the tried and tested principle of industrial fermentation, METabolic Explorer's solutions circumvent the problems posed by today's burdensome and expensive petrochemical processes via the use of a wide range of renewable, sustainable raw materials. By optimizing the metabolic yield of non-pathogenic bacteria in a contained, controlled environment, the company facilitates the production of chemical compounds used in a wide range of everyday goods (paints, solvents, adhesives and textile fibres) and industrial products (such as surgical thread and animal feed).
METabolic EXplorer is currently focusing its alternative biological solutions (implemented by the development of renewable, fermentation-based bioprocesses) on the production of five compounds that together have an estimated, annual, end-market value of \$14 billion. The company's strategy will be implemented worldwide via limited-exclusivity industrial alliances and joint-ventures with key players in the chemicals industry.
METabolic Explorer, based in Clermont-Ferrand, France, is listed on EURONEXT PARIS (EURONEXT C, METEX) and features in the SBF 250 and CAC Small 90 indexes.
Media contacts
ATTITUDE Corporate
Eric de Lambert E-mail : [email protected] Tel.: +33 (0)1 4970 4341 / +33 (0)6 2529 0658
Emmanuelle Lapeyre E-mail: [email protected] Tel.: +33 (0)1 4970 4343 / +33 (0)6 1588 6209
Investor Relations
METabolic EXplorer S.A.
Paul Michalet, CFO Biopôle Clermont-Limagne 63360 Saint-Beauzire - FRANCE - Email: [email protected] Tel.: +33 (0)4 7333 4300 Fax: +33 (0)4 7333 4301
Actus Finance
Jérôme Fabreguettes-Leib Email: [email protected] Tel.: +33 (0)1 7735 0436
This communication includes forward-looking information which is subject to risks and uncertainties. The potential development of the company could be substantially different from that anticipated in this press release because of the various risk factors which are described in the company's Listing Prospectus.