DSM and Roquettes JV, Reverdia to Set up Facility to Produce Bio-based Succinic Acid

Reverdia, the joint venture between Royal DSM and Roquette Frères, has been formally approved by the relevant regulatory authorities. Reverdia aims to build on its emerging leadership position for bio-based succinic acid through its proprietary production technology and by ensuring reliable supply to meet the evolving market demands. Reverdia combines DSMs expertise in Materials Sciences, and biotechnology together with Roquettes know-how in plant-based raw material processing.

Bio-based succinic acid is derived from non-fossil feedstock and produced with sustainable production technologies that minimize carbon footprint. It is a building block that can be used in the manufacture of polymers, resins and many other products. Key applications include footwear, packaging and paints.

Reverdia will be the first in the world to have a large scale facility for the commercial production of bio-based succinic acid, which will be marketed under its Biosuccinium brand. It will benefit from the best and most sustainable fermentation technology to produce bio-based succinic acid, which has been in development since 2008.

Reverdia Facility under Construction

The new facility, scheduled to be operational by the end of Q3 2012 will have a capacity of about 10 kt, and is located on the Roquette site in Cassano Spinola, Italy. The proximity to the port of Genoa ensures efficient global logistics. It will be fully backward-integrated with on-site production of the starch feedstock and will employ co-generation of steam and power as well as on-site waste water treatment. All combined this results in a best-in-class carbon footprint for Biosuccinium.

"Biosuccinium is a unique, high quality bio-based succinic acid produced with the most advanced and sustainable technology," said Will van den Tweel, Reverdias General Manager. "Reverdia developed a unique proprietary yeast technology to convert sugars into succinic acid. The novel process is simple, stable, very energy efficient and generates less waste and impurities than the bacteria-based technologies which are currently being used in alternative routes for bio-based succinic acid."

A demonstration plant on the Roquette site in Lestrem, France has been operational since January 2010 to validate and optimize the technology as well as to provide pre-commercial samples for application development. "The demonstration plant provided an excellent opportunity to gain technical experience on the production process of Biosuccinium. Combined with the expertise we have with the scale-up of processes and installations, we expect a smooth start-up of our commercial plant in Cassano." says Jean-Pierre Vannier, Operations Director for Reverdia.

Biosuccinium will provide the impetus for an entire range of more renewable, and more sustainable products. At a larger commercial scale, Biosuccinium is envisioned to be able to compete with both petrochemical-based succinic acid and petrochemical-based adipic acid. While existing markets for chemically produced succinic acid include pharmaceuticals, food, coatings and pigments, Reverdia believes that the availability of competitive, high quality and sustainable succinic acid such as Biosuccinium will drive the emergence of new applications. In addition to economic competitiveness, the products unique sustainability profile will enable possible applications such as: polyester polyols for polyurethanes, polybutylene succinate (PBS) plasticizers, 1.4 butanediol, composite and coating resins, serving end-markets as diverse as packaging, footwear, elastane clothing, shopping bags, mulch films, automotive interiors and more.

About Reverdia - Powered by DSM + Roquette

Reverdia is a joint venture between Royal DSM, the global Life Sciences and Materials Sciences company, and Roquette Frères, the global starch and starch-derivatives company. Reverdia is dedicated to be the global leader in the market for sustainable succinic acid, focusing on market development by establishing partnerships with direct and indirect customers, building on customer needs and Reverdia strengths.

Combining the knowledge and experience of DSM and Roquette, Reverdia produces and sells Biosuccinium, the Companys registered brand of bio-based succinic acid. Biosuccinium, which is produced using a unique and proprietary low pH yeast technology, enables customers to produce bio-based, high-quality performance materials while at the same time substantially improving their environmental footprint.

About Roquette - Offering the Best of nature.

Roquette, a French family-owned group with an international dimension, processes plant-based raw materials: maize, wheat, potatoes, peas and micro-algae. As one of the 5 world leaders in the starch manufacturing industry, the Company offers its customers a wide range of products and solutions in the fields of human nutrition, pharmacy-cosmetology, paper/board, chemistry-bioindustry and animal nutrition. Present in over 100 countries, Roquette has a turnover of3 billion euros. The Group employs around 6,800 staff. From the outset, the Companys development, focused on nutrition and health and plant-based chemistry, has been based on a strategy that advances a long-term approach, innovation and the commitment to achieve. Its mission, "Serving men and women by offering the best of nature".

DSM - Bright Science. Brighter Living.

Royal DSM N.V. is a global science-based company active in health, nutrition and materials. By connecting its unique competences in Life Sciences and Materials Sciences DSM is driving economic prosperity, environmental progress and social advances to create sustainable value for all stakeholders. DSM delivers innovative solutions that nourish, protect and improve performance in global markets such as food and dietary supplements, personal care, feed, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, automotive, paints, electrical and electronics, life protection, alternative energy and bio-based materials. DSMs 22,000 employees deliver annual net sales of around ? billion. The company is listed on NYSE Euronext.