Massachusetts-based Myriant Technologies expects to begin commercial succinic acid production in Q2 2010, announce EPC alliance with Uhde for plant projects

Liling Tan

QUINCY, Massachusetts , November 9, 2009 (PRNewswire) – Myriant Technologies LLC ("Myriant"), a privately-held, biotech developer and manufacturer of renewable bio-chemicals, Uhde Corporation of America and its preferred technology provider Uhde GmbH, one of the world's leading engineering contractors (jointly "Uhde"), announced an alliance for the engineering, procurement & construction (EPC) of Myriant's biobased Succinic Acid plants based on renewable feedstocks. The execution of this alliance marks an important milestone in Myriant's commercialization of biobased Succinic Acid and exemplifies Uhde's continued commitment to the renewable chemicals industry.

Myriant, which has successfully piloted the Succinic Acid process previously together with Uhde, has begun production of ton-sized samples for its customers to verify commercial product specifications and quality. The company expects to begin commercial production of biobased Succinic Acid second half of 2010.

Under Myriant's build-own-operate strategy, the alliance agreement combines the full breadth of Uhde's design and process expertise with Myriant's leading renewable, biobased Succinic Acid technology for the rapid deployment of full-scale commercial facilities. Uhde Corporation of America will be Myriant's engineering contractor for projects located in the U.S.; Uhde GmbH will act as Myriant's EPC Contractor in all other regions of the world. "The addition of Uhde's capabilities and experience is a perfect complement to Myriant's Succinic Acid program," said Stephen Gatto, Myriant Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Utilizing Uhde's unsurpassed EPC track record represents the final piece of the puzzle in making the construction of world scale biobased Succinic Acid plants a reality."

With more than 2,000 plants to its credit, Uhde GmbH is one of the world's leading engineering companies in the design and construction of chemical, refining and other industrial plants. "Uhde GmbH has built up special expertise in the field of biotechnology since 2004, and we are very excited about matching that expertise with Myriant's leadership position in Succinic Acid," stated Dr. Joachim Schulze, Head of Uhde GmbH's BioTechnology Division.

Succinic Acid has been recognized by both government organizations and the chemical industry as one of the most promising biochemicals that can be produced from renewable feedstocks to replace a wide range of petroleum-based chemicals. Myriant's renewable Succinic Acid offers cost competitive performance, reduced price volatility and a significantly enhanced environmental footprint as compared to petroleum-based alternatives. Given Succinic Acid's versatility, it can be used in a wide range of applications including polymers, solvents, pharmaceuticals, food and pigments. Typical end products that can utilize renewable Succinic Acid include car components, computer and electronic casings, shoe soles and paints.

Uhde GmbH has a workforce of more than 4,900 employees worldwide and is a company in the Plant Technology business area of the ThyssenKrupp Group. The company's activities focus on the engineering and construction of chemical and other industrial plants in the following fields: fertilisers; electrolysis; gas technologies; oil, coal and residue gasification; refining technologies; organic intermediates, polymers and synthetic fibres; and also coke plant and high-pressure technologies. "We also provide our customers with professional services and comprehensive solutions in all areas of industrial plant operation. Details are available at www.uhde.eu"

With a world-renowned team of molecular biologists, engineers and chemists, Myriant utilizes proprietary technology to advance the development of low-cost cellulosic sugars for the sustainable commercialization of high-value specialty chemicals. The company's D(-) lactic acid started production at commercial scale in June 2008 for use in polylactic acid. Myriant is headquartered in Quincy, Massachusetts. Details are available at www.myriant.com.

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