Amyris and Total develop JV

In the US, oil major Total and Amyris, a renewable products company, have signed an agreement to expand their current R&D partnerships and form a joint venture that will develop, produce and commercialise renewable fuels.

Under the new agreement the two companies will continue to work to develop renewable diesel from a plant sugar-based molecule, Biofene.

Total will contribute $105 million (€78 million) towards this programme.

The new 50/50 JV between Total and Amyris will have exclusive rights for the worldwide production and marketing of renewable diesel and jet fuel, in addition to non-exclusive rights to renewable products such as drilling fluids, solvents and polymers.

The venture aims to begin operations in Q1 2012.

'The creation of the joint venture and the implementation of the new renewable diesel R&D programme are two more steps forward for Total, which is aiming to become a key supplier in renewable fuels,' says Philippe Boisseau, president of gas and power at Total.