Cosan, Amyris launch Novvi JV

In California, Cosan and Amyris announced a Joint Venture Implementation Agreement as the final step toward the commencement of operations in Novvi, which will develop, produce and commercialize renewable base oils made from Biofene, Amyris’s renewable farnesene. Novvi plans to commercialize a line of synthetic, renewable base oils for the lubricants market, comparable to Group III and Group IV base oils. Novvi expects to source Biofene initially from Amyris production facilities, convert it through chemical processing into high-end renewable base oils and market and distribute these base oils worldwide. Longer term, Novvi may construct dedicated Biofene production facilities. “We expect Novvi to introduce its first products starting next year,” said Paulo Diniz, chief executive officer of Amyris Brasil.