On March 11, 2016, Solazyme announced a name change to reflect a new focus on food, nutrition, and specialty ingredients instead of biofuels. TerraVia™ (TerraVia), as Solazyme is now known, will create value in plant-based food through a transformational algae innovation platform. TerraVia will focus on developing AlgaVia® Whole Algae ingredients (lipid rich powder and protein) and AlgaWise™ Algae Oils, as well as consumer food products that currently include Thrive® Culinary Algae Oil. The Company will also focus on animal nutrition ingredients and personal care ingredients, including AlgaPur Oils. The fuels, industrial oils, and Encapso™ business previously run by Solazyme have been moved to a unit called Solazyme Industrials, which is likely to be sold off. This shift towards high-value, low volume product areas is not surprising given the current low oil prices that are hurting biofuel profits, and is a key component in the continued success of the biobased industry.
