Company: Amyris, Emeryville, CA
Nomination Submitted by: ID
Company Description: Amyris is a leading synthetic biotechnology company, transitioning the Clean Health & Beauty and Flavors & Fragrances markets to sustainable ingredients through fermentation and the company's proprietary Lab-to-MarketTM technology platform. Amyris ingredients are included in over 20,000 products from the world's top brands, reaching more than 300 million consumers.
Nomination Category: Achievement Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Achievement in Environment, Social, and Governance
 Nomination Title: Amyris' Biotechnology
- Which will you submit for your nomination in this category, a video of up to five (5) minutes in length about the nominated organization's ESG achievements since the beginning of 2021, OR written answers to the questions? (Choose one):
Written answers to the questions
- If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the nominated video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video:
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this first question: Briefly describe the nominated organization's history and past performance (up to 200 words):
Total 132 words used.
Amyris is a synthetic biotechnology company accelerating the world's transition to sustainable consumption through its Lab-to-Market™ platform. Launched in 2003 with a grant from the Gates Foundation, Amyris created a molecule to treat malaria that was more accessible and less costly than Artemisinin, allowing for “on-demand” manufacturing to meet the global need for the critical antimalarial drug ingredient. Our proprietary fermentation process pioneered a regenerative method of chemical manufacturing that converts basic plant sugars into bioidentical molecules found in nature, that are used as clean, sustainable ingredients for consumer products, instead of relying on petrochemicals or natural resources that are threatened by climate change.
To date, Amyris has developed and commercialized 13 proprietary ingredients that are used in over 20,000 products from the world’s top brands, reaching over 300 million consumers.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this second question: Outline the organization's achievements since the beginning of 2021 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words):
Total 244 words used.
Amyris is driven by a single purpose: to foster sustainable consumption and champion synthetic biology to bring innovative solutions to everyone.
In 2022, Amyris exponentially grew the usage of Neossance Hemisqualane—the best performing natural silicone replacement, which is now our fastest growing ingredient since its launch in October 2021. Hemisqualane is the answer to growing consumer concerns about the effectiveness of silicone, silicone toxicity and environmental impact.
June 2022 marked a significant milestone for the company and the biotech industry with the opening of a first-of-its-kind precision fermentation plant in Barra Bonita, Brazil. The plant enables the industrial scaling of biotech innovations for the beauty, personal care, health and wellness markets. The plant consists of five precision fermentation "mini-factories" capable of concurrently producing all 13 of Amyris' molecules currently in the market, as well as future bio-based products. After several years of operating under third-party capacity supply constraints, the plant allows Amyris to efficiently meet rapidly growing demand for clean, sustainable, chemistry-based products.
Across our operations, we are reducing the environmental impact through initiatives such as energy efficiency programs, carbon offsets, water and chemical management systems, and waste recycling.
Amyris prioritizes building a diverse workforce, and our hiring and workplace policies provide equal employment opportunities and promote a work environment that embraces diversity in every form. In 2021 and 2022, Amyris has been recognized by the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index, which evaluates the leadership pipeline, equal pay, anti-harassment policies and inclusive culture and brand strategy.
- f you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this third question: Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the organization's past performance (up to 250 words):
Total 246 words used.
Amyris realized beauty is one of the most impactful ways to make sustainability mainstream. Amyris produces ingredients found in sectors covering 80% of the beauty and personal care markets, including nine of the global top 10 beauty companies. The beauty and personal care sector allowed Amyris to seize the opportunity to be part of the health and beauty narrative and authentically connect our mission and commitment to synthetic biology with consumer audiences. We are leading this charge by promoting synthetic biology as a relatable concept and using it as a launchpad to expand into other consumer categories as well as industries.
Our consumer brands are demonstrating top growth, with more than 300% increase in sales year-to-date. Biossance continues to be the fastest-growing brand in clean sustainable skin care powered by science, exceeding $100 million in revenue this year.
The Barra Bonita precision fermentation plant is unique as it addresses a major gap between the supply and demand of fermentation-based products for the beauty, personal care, health and wellness markets. Over a decade ago, we set out on a strategic path to invest in fermentation process capabilities and be an agent of change across industries. The plant is a significant driver towards reaching that goal. Our fermentation process eliminates the need to use crude oil, destroy forests or kill animals for sourcing ingredients. Of note, the widespread adoption of squalane – our ingredient that replaces squalene, commonly found in shark liver – has saved 2.7M+ sharks.
- Optional: Reference here any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and explain how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 250 words):
Total 57 words used.
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