Solazyme  Adds Applications Lab, Staff

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.Solazyme Inc. opened a new full demo-scale applications-food lab and facilities in its recently opened corporate headquarters in South San Francisco.  The facility houses company office space, several state-of-the-art strain and process development labs, a sensory panel research lab, pilot plant and commercial food-applications lab. Outfitted with first-class equipment, the design and construction of the applications lab incorporates various features that allow for development of innovative applications and technical solutions to meet product developers most needs. Based in the industrial area of South San Francisco commonly referred to as the birthplace of biotechnology," Solazymes building is located at 225 Gateway Blvd.

Solazyme, which recently announced its Series D funding round with $60 million in July of this year, opened the lab and added several new members to the applications team to increase Solazymes depth and expertise across food categories. The team is focused on driving new applications and product advancements for Golden Chlorella®, a family of ultra-pure, sustainably grown microalgae powders that offer unique and highly beneficial nutrient profiles. The company is currently producing two types of powder, Golden Chlorella® Omega and Golden Chlorella® High Protein.

Algae are special microorganisms that deliver important health benefits, and our experienced team is creating some amazing applications demonstrating the unique health benefits and broad functionality of our microalgae products," said Ken Plasse, senior director of sales and marketing for Solazyme. Well share our knowledge and resource to help customers turn our highly beneficial ingredients into leading products that help people live healthier lives."

Plasse, former senior director of new brand innovation and product development at E&J Gallo Winery, joined the Solazyme Health Sciences team to lead sales and marketing, and he reports to Mike Golembieski, senior vice president and general manager of Solazyme Health Sciences. We are thrilled to add Ken to our growing team," Golembieski said. His diverse experience in sales, marketing and product development will add tremendous value to our customers and company," Golembieski joined Solazyme earlier this year from the SPLENDA® division of Tate & Lyle.

Solazyme will attend SupplySide West, October 19 to 23 in Las Vegas, Nevada, with raw-material ingredients partner B&D Nutritional Ingredients (B&D). SupplySide West, the worlds largest event for healthy and innovative food developments, provides companies with the opportunity to showcase upcoming and groundbreaking ingredients. Solazyme will be featured on October 23 in the B&D booth #15035 in the Sands Convention and Expo Center.

Solazyme Inc. is a renewable oil and bioproducts company in the field of algal biotechnology. Founded in 2003 and headquartered in South San Francisco, Solazymes unique technology allows algae to produce oil and biomaterials in standard fermentation facilities quickly, efficiently and at large scale. These oils and biomaterials are tailored not only for biofuel production but also as replacements for fossil petroleum and plant oils in a diverse range of products ranging from clean fuels and chemicals to cosmetics and foods. Solazymes oils and fuels provide compelling solutions to increasingly complex issues of fuel scarcity, energy security and environmental impact while fitting cleanly into the preexisting multitrillion-dollar fuel infrastructure. Solazymes investors, among others, include Braemar Energy Ventures, Harris & Harris Group, Lightspeed Venture Partners, The Roda Group, VantagePoint Venture Partners and Bunge.

Founded in 1993 and based in Vista, California, B&D Nutritional Ingredients Inc. sells and markets raw materials essential to the dietary supplement, functional food and personal-care industries. B&D has a portfolio of products are primarily natural antioxidants. B&D is active in several industry organizations representing the dietary supplement and personal care industries. Memberships include The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) and The Drug, Chemical and Allied Trades Association Inc.