WACKER and Amyris partner on bio-based personal-care ingredients

Key highlights
  • WACKER and Amyris will jointly develop and evaluate bio-based functional ingredients and building blocks for personal-care applications.
  • WACKER plans to extend its silicone portfolio with bio-based raw materials and test formulation and application compatibility at customer sites.
  • WACKER currently ferments cyclodextrin and cysteine while Amyris supplies precision-fermentation-derived molecules.
  • Amyris operates fermentation plants in Barra Bonita and Campinas, Brazil, and a cosmetic finishing plant in Leland, North Carolina.

Scope of collaboration

WACKER and Amyris will jointly develop and evaluate bio-based functional ingredients and molecular building blocks for cosmetics and personal-care applications, focusing on novel functional compounds and new formulation approaches announced at the in-cosmetics trade show in Paris.

Technical focus

The collaboration emphasizes assessing the functional potential of bio-based molecules in formulations, expanding WACKER’s silicone portfolio to include renewable raw materials, and verifying formulation and application compatibility at customer sites.

Capabilities contributed

Amyris supplies precision-fermentation–derived molecules produced using engineered microorganisms and operates fermentation and finishing facilities; WACKER contributes silicone chemistry, formulation know-how, and experience in fermentative production of cyclodextrin and cysteine for personal care.

Production and integration

Both companies will evaluate the scalability and integration of selected Amyris-produced raw materials into existing production structures, using WACKER’s development and testing capabilities to advance market-ready solutions.