Amyris chooses Laserson as distributor for Squalane in Europe

Renewable products company Amyris has chosen Laserson, a supplier of ingredients for the health and beauty industries, as its new exclusive distributor of its Squalane in the European market.

This was jointly announced by both the companies in Paris during In-Cosmetics, a trade show for the personal care ingredients industry.

Squalane, an emollient, is said to prevent skin moisture loss while restoring the suppleness and flexibility to the skin.

Its moisturising properties and appropriateness with the skin have worked in its favour, making it a hit among cosmetics and personal care formulators. Squalane, which until now had been sourced from shark liver or from olive oil, has given rise to concerns about its sustainability and availability.

Amyris, however, has developed a biotechnology process that enables the production of 100% plant-derived pure squalane.

This emollient is derived from simple sugars, such as those found in sugarcane, and can be produced on a large scale.

Amyris Squalane is moisturising and fast absorbing while providing a silky, smooth and luxurious touch.

It is apt for face products and emulsions, and body lotions and moisturizers. Its manufacturing process provides consistent product quality, yielding a colourless and odourless squalane, according to the company.

Amyris president & CEO John Melo said that the company had become an established supplier of high-purity squalane to the cosmetics and personal care market in the last two years.

"We are now helping to grow the global market for renewable squalane working in partnership with Laserson and leading European formulators," said Melo.

Laserson managing director Jerome Theobald said "Amyris’s breakthrough proprietary technology converts plant-sugars into squalane of uncompromising quality and consistent performance, allowing us meet consumer demand for both quality and sustainability," said Theobald.

Amyris Squalane is distributed in North America by CenterChem and in Japan by Nikko.