Diemen (The Netherlands) February 25, 2009 - PURAC, a CSM company, and TOYOBO announce that they have formed a strategic partnership for the production of renewable materials. These will be produced from the non-GMO lactides monomers of PURAC and will be broadly introduced into the European market by TOYOBO in March 2009 under the brand name VYLOECOL^®.

VYLOECOL^® is a patented amorphous and biodegradable poly lactic acid (PLA) and is soluble in standard organic solvents. The intended applications are as coatings or adhesives for packaging films and materials. Interest in biobased and biodegradable packaging materials is increasing rapidly. Using VYLOECOL^® offers the opportunity to develop fully biobased and biodegradable materials.

VYLOECOL^® is made from lactides supplied by PURAC. PURAC markets these lactides, under the brand name PURALACT^™, to a select group of partners who convert the monomers into specialty value added polymers. The unique D- Lactide technology of PURAC enables these partners to develop innovative solutions to improve temperature resistance, one of the main features limiting application of regular PLA.

Note to editors
About PURAC: PURAC is the worldwide market leader in lactic acid, lactic acid derivatives and lactides. PURAC has over 70 years of experience in the development, manufacturing and marketing of these products in a broad range of industries. PURAC operates production plants in the USA, the Netherlands, Spain, Brazil and Thailand and markets its products through a worldwide network of sales offices and distributors.
     PURAC has a strong focus on the development of the bioplastics market. PURAC develops this market through innovative solutions and partnerships with a select group of companies in the plastics industry. PURAC is headquartered in The Netherlands and is a part of CSM. CSM is global market leader in lactic acid and lactic acid derivatives and is the largest supplier of bakery products worldwide. CSM operates in business-to-business markets throughout Europe, North America, South America, and Asia, generates annual sales of € 2.5 billion and has a workforce of around 8,700 employees in 24 countries. CSM is listed on Euronext Amsterdam. For more information: www.csm.nl