Myriant and Sojitz Form Partnership to Distribute Biobased Succinic Acid

Quincy, Massachusetts -- U.S. based Myriant Corporation ("Myriant") and Japan based Sojitz Corporation ("Sojitz") have signed an agreement for the creation of a sales and marketing partnership to distribute biobased succinic acid in Japan, China, South Korea and Taiwan (the "Territory").

Under the terms of the agreement, Sojitz and Myriant will collaborate in the sales and marketing of biobased succinic acid exclusively in the Territory for applications such as plasticizers, polymers, urethanes and solvents. The agreement combines the strength of Myriants biobased succinic acid manufacturing platform with Sojitzs strong market presence. Sojitz, a US$50 billion company, has a strong presence in chemical sales and marketing and distribution throughout Asia with over 25 sales offices.

"Sojitzs significant presence in the market provides Myriant with "Best in Class" representation which we expect will drive significant long term value for our biobased succinic acid platform produced in the Territory," said Dr. Cenan Ozmeral, Chief Operating Officer of Myriant. Sojitz has demonstrated a clear commitment to the market, having invested already in a wide array of products in the field of biobased chemicals. With Sojitzs sales force and expertise in chemical sales and marketing, we are confident that our partnership will expedite Myriants commercial efforts in the Territory.

"This is another significant example of Myriants ability to capitalize on global markets where we have demonstrated a clear leadership in the production of cost-effective biobased succinic acid for a wide variety of applications. The combination of Sojitzs sales and marketing as well as their intent to expand our production capacity were the twin catalysts for this agreement," said Stephen J. Gatto, Myriants Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

"Our plan is to set up a commercial biobased derivatives plant that we expect to come online in 2015, which will consume 150 million pounds of Myriants biobased succinic acid," said Mr. Izutani, General Manager of Functional Materials and Fine Chemicals Department of Sojitz. "By establishing our partnership with Myriant, Sojitz is enhancing its presence in the green chemicals industry in Asia. By gaining access to Myriants biobased succinic acid, Sojitz will be in a position to grow its business of green chemical derivatives. We have spent over two years analyzing various technologies for production of biobased succinic acid, and after a detailed review we found, with high confidence, that Myriant has the most cost effective process while delivering the highest quality product."