US-based biotech Genomatica has acquired certain assets from REG Life Sciences (REG LS), a division of leading biofuels supplier Renewable Energy Group, boosting its ability to make oleochemicals from renewable feedstocks.

Genomatica said it gains a third major product platform, allowing it to expand into household and industrial cleaning products as well as flavors and fragrances, further enhancing its portfolio of ingredients for the clothing, packaging and personal care markets.

The assets acquired include technology for making drop-in long-chain chemicals (those ranging from eight to 18 carbon atoms in length) along with various novel and proprietary products that are either being researched or are under development.  The deal has added more than 550 active patents and applications to take Genomatica’s portfolio above 1,500 products.

“Consumer demand for sustainable products continues to grow, and successful companies will increasingly switch to ingredients that reduce harm to the environment and work with partners with shared values,” said Christophe Schilling, Genomatica’s CEO. “This acquisition adds powerful technology and talent to help Genomatica enhance the sustainability of everyday products.”

The core group of REG LS employees will join Genomatica at its San Diego Innovation Center.

Genomatica added that it will also work with ExxonMobil to progress the research program for advanced biofuels from biomass started at REG LS, along with Clariant, which joined the collaboration in January 2019.

The program centers on converting cellulosic sugars from sources such as agricultural waste and residues to produce biodiesel in a single-step process.