Versalis and Yulex partner to produce guayule-based biorubber for consumer, medical and industrial applications

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Jan 28, 2013, 10:01 ET

MILAN and PHOENIX, Jan. 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Versalis, a global leader in elastomers and a subsidiary of Eni, and Yulex Corporation, an agricultural-based biomaterials company, announced today they are forming a strategic partnership to manufacture guayule-based biorubber materials and will launch an industrial production complex in Southern Europe.

The partnership will cover the entire manufacturing chain from crop science to biorubber extraction to the construction of a biomass power station. Versalis will manufacture materials for various applications: after an initial focus on consumer and medical specialty markets, the target is to optimize the process to reach the tire industry.

The partnership will leverage Yulex's core competencies including crop science and biorubber extraction technologies, to boost Versalis' bio-based portfolio. The investment will include an ambitious research project to develop technologies targeting the tire industry.

Guayule (Parthenium argentatum) is a renewable, non-food crop that requires little water usage, no pesticides and it is an alternative source of natural rubber because of its latex allergy friendly properties, unlike Hevea rubber.

Versalis, with its market leading position in the elastomer industry, plans to expand its leading-edge technologies in the synthetic rubber business by including guayule rubber as a supplementary business opportunity and an increased commercial offering.

"The partnership with Yulex is strategic to Versalis, considering concerns over the forecasted scarcity in the butadiene market and volatility of this chemical, which in turn causes long term pressure on the price of products like synthetic rubber," said Daniele Ferrari, chief executive officer of Versalis. "Partnering with Yulex represents our commitment and momentum towards entering the global market as a major green chemistry player. All of our green chemistry partnerships aim to enhance Versalis' bio-based portfolio and will feed oil-based production chains with high-performance intermediates from renewable feedstocks, in particular in the elastomers business."

"Versalis is an ideal global partner for Yulex, as they are a leading supplier of elastomers and have the ability to rapidly scale and commercialize processes," said Jeff Martin, chief executive officer, president and co-founder of Yulex Corporation. "Together, through our shared vision of expanding green chemistry,we can accelerate the positive impact that guayule-based biorubber high-value products have on the environment, human health and sustainable global growth."

About Versalis
Versalis, rebranded from the former Polimeri Europa, is the largest Italian chemical company and a subsidiary of Eni. Versalis leads the market today in a host of chemical products by offering one of the widest portfolios. It has been acknowledged as the 2nd largest producer of elastomers in Europe and ranks among the leading ones worldwide. The company also holds market stewardship in manufacturing a host of basic chemicals, polyethylene, styrenics and elastomers for every application requirement. It has recently been refocusing its strategies on a more market-oriented product portfolio, reinforcing R&D and Licensing, and enhancing global presence. The elastomers business is central to the upgrading and optimization plan which also includes expanding portfolio through bio-based chemicals. With a 2012 production to sales of 6,1 million tons, Versalis operates at an international level and is heavily involved in the renewable chemicals industry with Matrica (a 50:50 joint venture with Novamont, a leader in biodegradable plastics and pioneer in third generation integrated biorefineries) through which a biorefinery at Porto Torres, Sardinia, Italy is being built and ready for production by end of 2013. Versalis is pursuing transatlantic elastomers joint ventures in Asia with Petronas and Honam. The company pursues such a mission leveraging on its proprietary technologies.

About Yulex Corporation
Yulex Corporation has developed a portfolio of biomaterials derived from the U.S.guayule plant. The company's innovative materials are designed to replace traditional tropical or petroleum based rubber for consumer, industrial and medical markets, with the residual agricultural materials utilized as a feedstock for bioenergy. Yulex closely collaborates with customers to develop and market highly differentiated, premium performance products in an ecologically responsible, sustainable manner. For more information, visit http://www.yulex.com.

Company Contacts:

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Freephone for shareholders (from abroad): +39.800 11 22 34 56
Switchboard: +39-0659821

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Web site: www.eni.com

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Yulex Press Office

[email protected] Tel. +1 858.344.4419

Web site: http://www.yulex.com

https://twitter.com/yulexguayule

SOURCE Yulex Corporation