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TerraVia Holdings, Inc. (formerly Solazyme) was a publicly held biotechnology company in the United States. TerraVia used proprietary technology to transform a range of low-cost plant-based sugars into high-value oils and whole algae ingredients. TerraVia supplied a variety of sustainable algae-based food ingredients to a number of brands, which included Hormel Food Corporation, Utz Quality Foods Inc and enjoy Life Foods.[1] TerraVia also sold its own culinary algae oil under the Thrive Algae Oil brand. In 2017, the firm declared bankruptcy. [2]

Key Information

Company history

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Founding

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Founder and CEO Jonathan S. Wolfson

Solazyme, Inc., was founded on 31 March 2003, with the mission of utilizing microalgae to create a renewable source of energy and transportation fuels. Founders Jonathan S. Wolfson and Harrison Dillon, who met while attending Emory University, started the company in a garage in Palo Alto. Regarding their partnership, Dillon said: "Neither of us wanted to go work for some giant organization where we were a tiny cog in a huge wheel. We wanted to make a difference and create something that had never existed before.”[3]

In 2013 Dillon announced his decision to step down from his full-time position as CTO and member of the Board of Directors of Solazyme and shift to a long-term consulting role focused on further developing the breadth of the technology platform and advising on intellectual property strategy.[4]

Wolfson continued on as chairman and CEO of Solazyme until August 2016 when he stepped down from management while he stayed on the board.

TerraVia appointed Apu Mody, former president of Mars Food America, as new CEO and a member of the board of directors, in August 2016.[5]

Initial focus and technology

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In 2004 and 2005, Solazyme began development of an algal molecular biology platform, identified and initiated a platform for microalgae-based oil production. The company then expanded focus on skin and personal care products.

Solazyme used a technique to grow microalgae, which allows the production process to be extremely efficient in terms of cost, scale, time, and sustainability. In contrast to common open pond and photo bioreactor approaches, TerraVia grows microalgae in the dark, inside huge stainless-steel containers.

Solazyme Soladiesel shown in the company laboratory.

In September 2007, Solazyme received a $2 million grant from the National Institute of Standards and Technology, signed a joint development agreement with Chevron through its division Chevron Technology Ventures, began operating in commercially sized standard industrial fermentation equipment (75,000-liter scale), worked with a third party refiner to demonstrate the compatibility of the oil with standard refining equipment, and produced over 400 liters of microalgae-based oils.

In January 2008, Solazyme was featured in Fields of Fuel, which was played at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. At the event, it presented a Mercedes-Benz C320 fueled with its Soladiesel brand of algal fuel.[6]

Also in January 2008, the company announced a partnership with Chevron Technology Ventures to explore the commercialization of algal fuel.[7] Later that year, the company stated that it had produced the world's first jet fuel derived from an algal source.

In 2009, Solazyme was awarded approximately $22 million from the United States Department of Energy for the construction of an integrated biorefinery project. It also formed a contract with the United States Department of Defense to deliver microalgae-based marine (renewable F-76) diesel fuel to the United States Navy.[8]

In 2011, the company announced it had produced over 283,000 liters of military-spec diesel (HRF-76) for the United States Navy. The initial fuel production for phase 1 of a 550,000 liter contract was completed ahead of schedule. Also in 2011 Solazyme and United Airlines partnered to fly the first ever commercial flight on biofuels including the signing of an LOI for United to purchase 20 million gallons of Solajet fuel.[9]

In 2012, Solazyme partnered with the Navy for the Rim of the Pacific Exercises (RIMPAC) Great Green Fleet (GGF) demonstration in which numerous naval vessels and fighter jets ran on a blend of traditional and renewable fuels in the largest demonstration of its kind.[10]

Initial public offering

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In May 2011, Solazyme set terms for its initial public offering. The company planned to raise $160 million by offering 10 million shares at a price range of $15 to $17 and ended up selling 7,901,800 shares for $20 each in its first day of trading.[11]

Investment banking and securities firm Goldman Sachs reported in July 2011 that with the commercialization of new oil products, Solazyme stock had become less risky.[12] The bank initiated coverage with a top rating and $31 target. In a note to clients, it said Solazyme (Nasdaq: TVIA) stood to boost sales and become more stable now that it had partnered with major agribusinesses like Bunge Limited.[13]

Joint venture with Bunge Limited

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On 8 August 2011, Solazyme announced a joint venture with agribusiness company Bunge Limited to develop renewable oils in Brazil using Solazyme's algae-based sugar-to-oil technology.

In April 2012, Solazyme and Bunge announced a plan to construct a shared commercial-scale production facility in Brazil.[14] As one of the world's largest vegetable oil distributors, Bunge would supply the facility with sugarcane feedstock from its sugarcane processor in Brazil for use in Solazyme algae oil production process.

Construction of the new facility began in June 2012 and in May 2014, the joint venture plant began oil production.[15]

In late 2015, Solazyme and Bunge announced an expansion of their joint venture, which included an agreement to have Bunge market the food oils produced through the joint venture.[16]

The production of AlgaPrime DHA was announced in May 2016 and is the first product under the joint venture of TerraVia and Bunge. AlgaPrime DHA is a new algae-based specialty feed ingredient designed to reduce the aquaculture industry's dependence on wild fish populations.[17][18]

Products and brands

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Food

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In 2010, Solazyme launched its first products, the Golden Chlorella line of dietary supplements, as part of a market development initiative. Products incorporating Golden Chlorella could be found at retailers including Whole Foods Market and General Nutrition Centers.

AlgaVia and AlgaWise supply algae-based ingredients to food manufacturers, such as South Coast Baking Company, Follow Your Heart, and So Delicious Dairy Free.

TerraVia is also responsible for the Thrive Algae Oil brand. Thrive is marketed as "The Best Oil For Your Heart" due to its high levels of monounsaturated fats, which are known to decrease bad cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Thrive has been praised by food industry professionals for its neutral taste, versatility, and high smoke point.

The Gelson's grocery chain began supplying Thrive to the Los Angeles area in 2015. Due to its success in this market, TerraVia announced it would expand the distribution of Thrive throughout the West Coast in May 2016.[19]

In 2024 the original Solazyme/TerraVia team relaunched Thrive Algae oil.[20]

Aquaculture

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As part of its joint venture with Bunge Limited, Solazyme/TerraVia supplied aquaculture feed producer BioMar with an algae-based feed ingredient known as AlgaPrime DHA.[21] AlgaPrime DHA is a source of DHA omega-3 fatty acid. which is intended to reduce the aquaculture industry's dependence on wild fish as a source of DHA. AlgaPrime DHA therefore has the potential to boost the sustainability of aquaculture and allow the aquaculture industry to grow in spite of the world's fixed supply of ocean-based DHA.[22] As of 2024, Corbion’s AlgaPrime™ DHA (originally developed and commercialized by Solazyme) is the world’s leading source of algae Omega-3.[23]

Personal care

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TerraVia currently manufactures the Algenist brand for the luxury skin care market through marketing and distribution arrangements with Sephora and QVC. It is sold in Canada, France, and the United Kingdom. The idea of using algae for a skincare line came from Arthur Grossman, the Chief of Genetics at Solazyme and Staff Scientist at the Carnegie Institution.[24] Grossman is an expert in algal photosynthesis and has studied how algae protect themselves from harsh environments and reasoned they could be used to protect human skin.[25]

TerraVia also markets its AlgaPūr Algae Oil brand to personal care producers. Unilever, a leading consumer goods company, is one of TerraVia's biggest partners. In 2010, Solazyme and Unilever started its partnership to develop renewable algae oils for use in soaps and other personal care products.[26] In 2011, Unilever funded TerraVia's research and development efforts, which ended in Unilever agreeing to the terms of a multi-year supply agreement.[27] In September 2013 Unilever agreed to purchase 3 million gallons of algae oil.[28] In March 2016 the companies signed a multi-year supply agreement, where Unilever has agreed to purchase over $200 million worth of a broad portfolio of renewable algae oils.[29]

Solazyme Industrials

[edit]

The company has formerly engaged in development activities with Chevron, Dow Chemical, Ecopetrol, Qantas, and Unilever. Additionally, Solazyme started a brand of industrial drilling lubricant known as Encapso. Scientists were able to harness the prolific oil-producing capabilities of microalgae to create a first-of-its kind product, microencapsulated oil cells that burst only under sufficient pressure, friction, and shear.[30]

As part of the change in focus, TerraVia stated that its fuels, industrial oils, and Encapso business would be grouped together under Solazyme Industrials starting in March 2016. Furthermore, "The company will be pursuing strategic alternatives over the next 12–18 months to unlock the value created [in Solazyme Industrials]. Solazyme's objective is to identify partners who have the operational capabilities needed to realize the potential of those businesses."[31]

TerraVia

[edit]

Solazyme officially changed its name to TerraVia Holdings Inc. in March 2016 with a redefined focus on food, nutrition, and personal care. As part of the change, the company stated that its previous fuel and industrial oil products and workings would operate under Solazyme Industrials.[32]

Bankruptcy filing and sale

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On 2 August 2017, TerraVia filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11.[33] The company announced a "stalking horse" offer from Corbion, N.V., a Netherlands food and biochemical company.[34] The offer valued TerraVia's assets at $20 million plus the assumption of debt associated with the Brazilian manufacturing facility.[35] By comparison, Solazyme's IPO raised over $197 million.[36] The sale closed in September of 2017[37] and by 2023 the legacy Solazyme technology and products were the fastest growing part of Corbion’s portfolio, growing at over 40% yoy with over €110M in sales.[38]

Sustainability principles and commitments

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Principles and sustainability

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TerraVia sets a goal of providing replacements for unsustainable products like palm and soybean oil. The brand's food ingredients seek to provide a healthy alternative to animal-based lipids and proteins.

According to its sustainability report, TerraVia states that "transparency is central to all of our sustainability principles."[39] TerraVia supports this goal with a number of commitments, which include engaging with and asking for stakeholders' inputs, publishing product data in peer-reviewed journals, and openly communicating about the production of its products.

As part of this transparency, TerraVia has made information regarding the environmental impacts of its products publicly available.

Life cycle analysis

[edit]

TerraVia had the third party organization Thinkstep conduct life cycle analysis on its products in order to assess their environmental impacts in comparison to other oils. The results show that algae oil production often has significantly lower environmental impacts in comparison to traditional oil sources.[39]

A life cycle analysis conducted in 2016 compared the sugarcane-fed algae oil produced at the Solazyme Bunge joint venture facility in Brazil against soybean, tallow, palm kernel, olive, palm, canola, and sunflower oil in terms of its carbon emissions and water consumption. Thinkstep found that the algae oil was on par with sunflower oil in terms of global warming potential per kilogram of oil produced. All other oils compared had higher carbon emissions. Algae oil also had the second lowest impact in water consumption, second to canola oil.[39]

The company also analyzed the land impact of its algae oil compared to traditional oils. It found that the algae oil is comparable to palm oil in land use efficiency, with both algae and palm yielding more than six times the amount of oil per hectare than any other oil producing crop.[39]

The Thinkstep life cycle analysis highlights the advantages of producing algae oil over traditional oil sources in regard to the environmental impacts of oil production.

Awards

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  • In 2016, Thrive Culinary Algae Oil won the Gama Innovation Award.[40]
  • Solazyme won the 2014 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award.[41]
  • Solazyme's Algenist skincare brand won the 2014 Marie Claire Prix d'Excellence de la Beaute in France.[42]
  • World Economic Forum named Solazyme as one of their 2012 Technology Pioneers.[43]
  • Inc. Magazine named Solazyme "America's Fastest-Growing Manufacturing Company" in its September 2011 issue.[44]
  • In June 2011 Solazyme won San Francisco Business Times Cleantech and Sustainability Award in the Fuels, Chemicals, and Specialty Products category.[45]
  • BREATHE California awarded Solazyme the 2010 Clean Air Award for their renewable oil production technology which significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions.[46]
  • Solazyme won the No. 1 Sustainable Biofuels Technology award at the World Biofuels Markets Conference in 2010.[47]
  • Solazyme was ranked No. 1 among the 2009–2010 "50 Hottest Companies in Bioenergy" in Biofuels Digest.[48]
  • Solazyme was selected by AlwaysOn as a GoingGreen 100 Top Private Company Award Winner for 2007.[49]

See also

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

TerraVia

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
TerraVia Holdings, Inc. was an American biotechnology company specializing in the production of sustainable , nutrition, and specialty ingredients derived from through industrial-scale of low-cost sugars. Founded in 2003 as Solazyme, Inc., the company initially focused on algae-based biofuels before pivoting to higher-value applications in and personal care. It rebranded as TerraVia in 2016 to emphasize its earth-derived, algae-powered innovations. The company's proprietary technology enabled the transformation of plant-based feedstocks into oils, proteins, and other bioproducts, targeting markets such as culinary oils, omega-3 supplements, animal nutrition, and . Notable products included the Thrive line of algae-derived cooking oils and flours, AlgaPrime DHA for feed, and the Algenist skincare brand featuring algae-based fatty acids. TerraVia went public on in 2011, raising significant capital but struggled with commercialization, reporting minimal sales and substantial losses by 2017. Facing over $170 million in debt, TerraVia filed for Chapter 11 protection in August 2017. Dutch ingredients firm acquired its assets and platform for $20 million later that year, integrating the technology into its portfolio for sustainable omega-3 production. Post-acquisition, continued developing algae-derived products like AlgaVia proteins and DHA oils, though some TerraVia brands, such as Thrive, were discontinued by 2020 due to commercial challenges. As of 2025, TerraVia's innovations remain embedded in 's algae ingredients division, contributing to efforts in reducing reliance on marine-sourced omega-3s.

History

Founding and early development

TerraVia, originally founded as Solazyme, Inc., was established on March 31, 2003, by Jonathan Wolfson and Harrison Dillon in , where the duo began operations in a rented garage. Wolfson, a with an MBA from NYU, and Dillon, a scientist with a PhD in from UC Davis, had met as undergraduates at [Emory University](/page/Emory University) and shared a vision for harnessing to address and challenges. From its inception, Solazyme focused on developing genetically engineered strains of to produce renewable oils and bioproducts as sustainable alternatives to petroleum-derived and agricultural oils. The company's core innovation centered on a heterotrophic process, in which are grown in controlled, dark bioreactors fed with low-cost sugar feedstocks like sucrose or corn dextrose, bypassing the limitations of sunlight-dependent phototrophic growth. This approach enabled the production of tailored oils with customizable profiles for applications in fuels, chemicals, and other sectors. Key early milestones included securing foundational patents on algal oil production and strain engineering, with the company filing its first applications as early as 2005 for methods involving recombinant oleaginous microorganisms. Solazyme raised seed funding from firms such as and subsequent series rounds, culminating in a $57 million Series C in 2009 to support scaling. By 2007, the company achieved proof-of-concept at commercial scale using contract manufacturing partners, producing oils in 75,000-liter fermenters, and demonstrated renewable diesel and chemical precursors that met industry specifications, including a 2009 U.S. Department of Energy grant for an integrated . These advancements positioned Solazyme for pre-IPO growth by 2010.

Public offering and expansion

In May 2011, Solazyme completed its (IPO) on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol SZYM, pricing 10.975 million shares at $18 each and raising approximately $197.6 million in gross proceeds. The offering valued the company at over $1 billion based on the initial share price and outstanding shares. These funds supported accelerated commercialization of the company's algae-derived oils, marking a transition from primarily research-focused operations to broader market entry in , chemicals, and consumer products. Following the IPO, Solazyme expanded its infrastructure, including the acquisition and retrofitting of a fermentation facility in , in May 2011 to enable integrated pilot-scale production of renewable oils. The company also pursued partnerships with industrial partners to scale pilot production, while shifting emphasis toward consumer markets such as and nutrition, alongside industrial applications like fuels. In 2012, Solazyme was recognized as a Technology Pioneer by the for its innovative platform. Financially, Solazyme's total revenue grew from $38 million in 2010, driven largely by programs, to $60.4 million in 2014, reflecting initial commercial sales in fuels and , such as the launch of Enova algal oil for and Soladiesel renewable fuel. However, the company reported persistent net losses, reaching $162.1 million in 2014, attributable to high expenses of $81.7 million and total operating expenses of $175.5 million that year, resulting in an annual cash burn exceeding $118 million from operating activities alone. By , revenue reached $46.1 million amid ongoing investments in scaling production.

Rebranding and strategic shifts

In March 2016, Solazyme announced its to Holdings, Inc., accompanied by a change in its ticker symbol from SZYM to TVIA. The name , derived from Latin roots meaning "by way of the ," was selected to highlight the company's algal platform for creating sustainable and ingredients derived from earth's natural resources. This rebranding marked a deliberate effort to reposition the firm around high-value, consumer-oriented applications of innovation. As part of the strategic pivot, TerraVia planned to divest its low-margin fuels and industrial chemicals , referred to as Solazyme Industrials, through a spin-off, allowing it to concentrate resources on , , , and personal care markets. This refocus aimed to allocate the majority of efforts—primarily toward lipid-rich algal ingredients for these sectors—amid challenges in the biofuels space due to low prices. A key element of this shift was a definitive five-year global supply agreement signed with on March 14, 2016, for renewable oils to be used in , expected to generate more than $200 million in revenue over the term and produced at the facility in . Internal changes supported this transition, including leadership adjustments to bring in expertise aligned with and markets. In March 2016, CEO and co-founder Jonathan Wolfson announced his intention to step down, transitioning to the role of chairman, with the board seeking a replacement from the ; this culminated in the appointment of Apu Mody, former president of Mars Food , as CEO effective August 22, 2016. Operationally, TerraVia implemented a 20% workforce reduction in January 2016 and terminated manufacturing agreements with third-party facilities to streamline costs, while optimizing production at its headquarters for research and development, and at the SB Oils plant in (with Bunge Limited) through process improvements and a shift to higher-margin products like AlgaPrime™ DHA oils. To strengthen market positioning, TerraVia emphasized consumer-facing brands that showcased algal oils as premium, non-GMO alternatives to conventional seed oils, offering benefits such as 75% less than and high levels of monounsaturated fats. Central to this was the continued promotion of Thrive Algae Oil, the first culinary oil launched in 2015 and expanded under the TerraVia banner in 2016, targeted at health-conscious consumers through online and retail channels in and beyond.

Joint ventures and production

In August 2011, Solazyme (rebranded as TerraVia in 2016) entered into a framework agreement with Bunge North America to establish a joint venture for constructing a commercial-scale renewable oil production facility in Brazil, leveraging Solazyme's algae-based sugar-to-oil technology alongside Bunge's sugarcane processing infrastructure. The formal joint venture, named Solazyme Bunge Produtos Renováveis Ltda., was finalized in April 2012 as a 50-50 partnership, with the facility sited adjacent to Bunge's Moema sugarcane mill in Orindiúva, São Paulo state. The project involved capital expenditures exceeding $200 million, including engineering, construction, and a $120 million loan from Brazil's National Development Bank (BNDES) to support the build-out. The Brazilian facility achieved an annual production capacity of 100,000 metric tons of oils derived from fermented using as feedstock, marking Solazyme's first large-scale commercial deployment of its . Commercial operations commenced in May 2014, enabling the first shipments of algal oils that year and demonstrating the platform's ability to produce tailored renewable oils at industrial volumes. By , following the to TerraVia and a strategic pivot toward and nutrition applications, the expanded to integrate production of food-grade oils at the site, with Bunge taking on marketing and distribution for these ingredients. TerraVia pursued additional collaborations to scale production, including a 2012 agreement with Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) to utilize ADM's existing fermentation infrastructure at its Clinton, Iowa, facility for algal oil manufacturing, targeting up to 100,000 metric tons annually through capital-efficient expansion. The company also maintained its own R&D-scale production site in Peoria, Illinois, acquired and retrofitted in 2011 from a former fermentation plant, which supported integrated biorefinery testing and small-batch output of algal oils and derivatives. Despite these advances, production faced significant hurdles, including elevated costs tied to feedstocks, which were volatile in price and supply due to reliance on industrial sources like and dextrose. Total capital expenditures across the Brazilian, , and sites surpassed $300 million by mid-decade, straining operations amid broader market pressures. In 2015, low demand for renewable diesel—exacerbated by plummeting prices—prompted idling of portions of the U.S. facilities, as TerraVia shifted emphasis from fuels to higher-margin products.

Bankruptcy and asset sales

On August 2, 2017, TerraVia Holdings, Inc. and its affiliates filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the Bankruptcy Court for the District of (Case No. 17-11655). The filing stemmed from persistent financial struggles, including unprofitable operations that resulted in a net loss of $22.6 million on $4.5 million in during the first quarter of 2017, alongside total liabilities exceeding $184 million as of March 31, 2017. These challenges were exacerbated by prior expansion efforts and an inability to achieve profitability after nearly 15 years in operation. To facilitate an orderly wind-down, TerraVia entered into a stock and with N.V. on the petition date, under which Corbion agreed to acquire substantially all of the company's assets for approximately $20 million in cash, subject to assumption of certain liabilities and higher competing bids. The approved procedures on August 11, 2017, setting an for September 6, 2017. No superior bids emerged, and on September 15, 2017, the approved Corbion's bid as the highest and best offer, leading to the substantial closure of TerraVia's operations and layoffs affecting the majority of its remaining workforce. The approved sale divided TerraVia's key assets among buyers, with Corbion acquiring the intellectual property, technology, and related assets in , , and segments, including the AlgaPrime DHA product line for applications. Unilever retained its existing license rights to personal care ingredients, such as those used in the Algenist brand under their prior collaboration. The transaction closed on September 29, 2017, with Corbion anticipating additional investments beyond the purchase price to revive the acquired operations. Subsequent to the primary sale, remnant assets underwent further disposition. In June 2018, acquired Bunge Limited's 49.9% stake in the former TerraVia-Bunge facility in , securing full ownership of the 100,000-metric-ton-per-year sugarcane-to-lipids production site. The Chapter 11 cases were converted to proceedings under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code in December 2017 to enable trustee-managed of any remaining property. In August 2020, investment firm Oak Point Partners purchased the residual assets of the liquidating debtors for a distressed value, concluding the primary distribution process.

Products and technologies

Core algae biotechnology

TerraVia's core algae biotechnology centered on a proprietary platform that genetically engineered to produce high-value oils and bioproducts. The company utilized heterotrophic strains such as Chlorella protothecoides (e.g., strain S106) and Prototheca moriformis (e.g., UTEX 1435), which were modified through techniques, including the introduction of exogenous genes like fatty acyl-ACP thioesterases and desaturases, to optimize lipid biosynthesis pathways. These were cultivated in closed, stainless-steel fermenters under dark conditions, feeding on low-cost carbon sources such as corn-derived dextrose or , enabling high cell densities without reliance on or open systems. Key innovations included strain engineering to tailor fatty acid profiles, such as enhancing production of polyunsaturated s like (DHA) and (EPA), which were achieved by codon-optimized and RNAi-mediated suppression of competing pathways. Scalable processes, often employing fed-batch with nutrient limitations (e.g., ), allowed for oil yields reaching up to 80% of weight, far exceeding typical crops. This approach integrated industrial standards, drawing from the company's founding focus on algal oil for biofuels, to create versatile oils mimicking or surpassing properties of palm, soy, or petroleum-derived alternatives. The platform was protected by extensive intellectual property, with TerraVia holding 244 patents covering algal strain development, fermentation optimization, and lipid extraction methods, emphasizing controlled heterotrophic production for enhanced sustainability compared to phototrophic systems. Unlike light-dependent open-pond cultivation, which is vulnerable to contamination and seasonal variability, TerraVia's indoor fermenters ensured year-round output, product purity, and consistent quality, reducing risks from environmental factors and enabling precise scalability for commercial volumes.

Food and nutrition applications

TerraVia developed algal-derived ingredients tailored for , leveraging its proprietary technology to produce high-value oils and whole algae powders from such as Prototheca moriformis. Key products included Thrive Culinary Algae , a high-oleic oil with a neutral flavor profile suitable for versatile cooking, and the AlgaVia line of plant-based proteins and lipids derived from whole algae biomass. Thrive Culinary Algae Oil, launched in 2015 as the company's first consumer brand, featured a high of approximately 500°F, making it ideal for high-heat applications such as , , , and . The product was discontinued by in 2020 but relaunched in 2024 by the original Solazyme/TerraVia founders, who reacquired the brand and resumed production using oil manufactured in . AlgaVia products encompassed protein-rich whole powder, providing complete essential , , and healthy , as well as lipid-rich whole powder designed for fat replacement in formulations. These ingredients found applications in various food products, including mixes, coatings, and spreads, where they served as stable, neutral-tasting alternatives to traditional fats. TerraVia partnered with major food companies such as , Utz Quality Foods, and Enjoy Life Foods (a Mondelez ) to incorporate AlgaVia lipids and proteins into omega-9-rich formulations for , baked goods, and allergen-friendly products. Nutritionally, Thrive and AlgaVia products offered high levels of monounsaturated fats—up to 87% in the algal oil—along with lower content compared to or oils, positioning them as heart-healthy options. The U.S. granted Generally Recognized as Safe () status to TerraVia's high-oleic algal oil and algal structuring fats, affirming their safety for use as direct additives at levels up to 100% replacement for other oils. These algal ingredients were marketed as sustainable alternatives to palm and soy oils, produced via controlled that avoids deforestation-linked and requires less land and water. In terms of market reach, Thrive Culinary Algae Oil was available through ThriveCulinary.com, with options for pure oil and blended variants priced around $25–$40 per bottle. AlgaVia ingredients were supplied B2B to manufacturers for fortifying products like plant-based snacks and alternatives, enabling scalable integration into commercial formulations.

Aquaculture solutions

TerraVia developed AlgaPrime DHA as its flagship product for applications, launching it in May 2016 as a spray-dried algal containing 16% (DHA). This whole-algae ingredient serves as a direct replacement for in feeds for such as and , providing a traceable, land-based source of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids produced through of the microalgae strain Schizochytrium sp. using sugarcane-derived sugars. The primary benefits of AlgaPrime DHA in include reducing dependence on wild-caught small for , thereby lowering the fish-in-fish-out ratio and easing pressure on overfished marine stocks. It also enhances the omega-3 content in farmed fish fillets, delivering higher DHA levels to the end consumer without compromising feed efficiency or animal health, as demonstrated in trials where full replacement of maintained or improved fillet quality. For instance, incorporation into grower feeds has shown no negative effects on growth performance while significantly boosting flesh DHA concentrations. TerraVia established key partnerships to integrate AlgaPrime DHA into commercial aquafeeds, including a joint venture with Bunge Limited for production at their SB Renewable Oils facility in and distribution agreements with BioMar Group starting in 2016. By 2017, BioMar had incorporated the ingredient into over 40,000 tonnes of feed supplied to farms, marking its adoption in commercial operations across and . These collaborations enabled scalable supply, with the facility reaching full operational capacity for algal biomass production by mid-2016. Prior to TerraVia's in 2017, the SB Oils generated approximately $10 million in net sales in 2016, largely from AlgaPrime DHA, reflecting initial commercial-scale output equivalent to several hundred tons annually based on facility throughput and market equivalents. Following the acquisition of TerraVia's assets by in 2018, AlgaPrime DHA has become Corbion's leading algae-derived product line, supporting over 1 million tonnes of fish feed production by 2021 and continuing to drive sustainable omega-3 enrichment in global .

Personal care ingredients

TerraVia developed the AlgaPūr line of microalgae-derived oils specifically for personal care formulations, with the high-oleic variant offering superior stability, emolliency, and moisturization while providing a non-greasy feel that supports non-comedogenic applications in serums, creams, and products. These oils, produced through engineered algal strains, deliver benefits such as hair fiber protection and repair, along with enhanced gloss in lip and hair formulations. A key brand partnership involved the creation of the Algenist skincare line, which incorporates algal peptides to target anti-aging effects by promoting firmness, hydration, and barrier support in products like regenerative moisturizers. Algenist products, positioned as vegan and clean-label alternatives to silicones and mineral oils, were distributed through major retailers including and . TerraVia secured significant supply agreements for its algal oils in personal care, including a 2013 deal with for 3 million gallons to replace in products like Dove soaps and shampoos. This partnership expanded in 2016 to a five-year global supply commitment valued at over $200 million, underscoring the oils' role in sustainable formulations. These ingredients contributed to growing sustainable beauty trends by enabling palm-free, low-impact alternatives that aligned with consumer demand for eco-friendly, high-performance cosmetics, with Algenist achieving notable market adoption by 2016.

Industrial and renewable products

TerraVia, formerly known as Solazyme, developed its industrial and renewable products through the Solazyme Industrials division, which focused on converting algal oils into drop-in fuels and chemicals using heterotrophic microalgae fermentation. The division produced renewable diesel and jet fuel from these oils, with Soladiesel RD achieving compliance with ASTM D975 specifications for ultra-low sulfur diesel after refining via UOP's Ecofining process. Similarly, Solajet, an algal-derived renewable jet fuel, met ASTM D1655 standards as verified by the Southwest Research Institute in 2008, enabling its use in commercial aviation trials, such as United Airlines' flight in 2011. These products demonstrated the potential for algal oils to serve as direct petroleum replacements without engine modifications. Beyond fuels, the division commercialized Encapso, a biodegradable encapsulated base stock designed for oilfield fluids to reduce and environmental impact. Production of Encapso began at Solazyme's commercial-scale facility in Moema, , in , with partnerships enhancing market reach; for instance, Versalis agreed to distribute it globally as a sustainable additive, while Flotek Industries expanded sales in the . Strategic collaborations with major oil companies supported integration into existing infrastructure: Chevron partnered with Solazyme in 2008 to develop algal for co-processing in , and joined in 2009 for joint research, including testing in refinery streams. The biofuels segment faced viability challenges from plummeting oil prices after , rendering algal fuels economically uncompetitive amid fluctuating U.S. policy support. In 2016, Solazyme shuttered the industrial division as part of its rebranding to TerraVia, abandoning low-margin fuels and chemicals to prioritize higher-value applications. This shift followed cumulative losses exceeding $600 million since , with significant investments in biofuels infrastructure proving unsustainable. The legacy of these efforts lies in proving algal biotechnology's for bulk non-food products, paving the way for industry advancements despite the pivot to more profitable sectors.

Sustainability and impact

Environmental principles

TerraVia's environmental principles centered on leveraging algal to minimize ecological footprints compared to traditional crop-based alternatives. The company's production process emphasized land-use efficiency, yielding up to seven times more per than soybeans, thereby requiring significantly less acreage—approximately one-seventh the land—for equivalent output. Additionally, TerraVia utilized non-GMO algal strains to preserve and avoid genetic modification risks, while employing processes that required little water, often relying on non-freshwater sources to reduce strain on aquatic resources. TerraVia committed to sourcing sustainable , including alignment with Bonsucro certification standards for ethical labor and environmental safeguards in regions like and the . In broader impact, TerraVia advocated for algal oils as sustainable alternatives to deforestation-linked , positioning its technology to support reduced loss and lower carbon emissions in global supply chains.

Life cycle analyses and metrics

In 2016, TerraVia commissioned a (LCA) of its algal oil production process to evaluate environmental impacts from cradle-to-gate. The study focused on oil produced using sugarcane-derived feedstocks at the company's facility in and demonstrated reductions in key resource use and emissions compared to conventional oils. The LCA encompassed feedstock cultivation, fermentation-based algal growth, oil extraction, and energy inputs. It provided a view of impacts such as and . The identified potential for optimizations in heterotrophic algal systems, including transitioning from corn dextrose in U.S. production—which relies on agricultural inputs—to lower-impact feedstocks like waste sugars from cellulosic sources. Following TerraVia's 2017 acquisition by , the technology continues to contribute to sustainable omega-3 production, reducing reliance on marine sources as of 2025.

Recognition and legacy

Key awards

TerraVia, formerly known as Solazyme, has received several prestigious awards recognizing its innovations in , particularly in sustainable oils and renewable chemicals. In 2016, its Thrive Culinary , a plant-based derived from , won the Gama Innovation Award in the categories of Product, , and Positioning for introducing functional benefits of to the healthy oils market. In 2014, Solazyme was awarded the Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award in the Greener Synthetic Pathways category by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its technology that produces tailored oils, enabling sustainable alternatives to petroleum-derived products. Earlier, in 2012, the selected Solazyme as one of its Technology Pioneers for its platform to produce renewable oils and chemicals from engineered , highlighting its potential to transform industrial .

Post-acquisition developments

Following the 2017 acquisition of TerraVia's assets, integrated the company's into its portfolio, focusing on industrial-scale production of omega-3 ingredients. The Dutch ingredients firm completed the purchase for approximately $20 million in cash, assuming certain liabilities, and retained TerraVia's facilities in , and . Corbion's AlgaPrime DHA, derived from TerraVia's heterotrophic algae fermentation technology, saw significant commercial expansion post-acquisition, particularly in aquaculture feeds. By 2023, sales of AlgaPrime exceeded €100 million, driven by high demand for sustainable omega-3 alternatives to fish oil, with organic sales growth exceeding 100% in the first half of 2023. The product line expanded into pet food with the 2023 launch of AlgaPrime DHA P3, a vegetarian DHA source supporting cognitive and joint health in dogs and cats, and into infant nutrition formulations as a clean-label omega-3 option. In 2024, TerraVia's Thrive culinary oil brand was revived by co-founder Jonathan Wolfson through a new entity, sourcing algal oil from to emphasize clean-label, sustainable cooking alternatives free of GMOs and . The relaunched products, including a pure oil and a blended premier culinary oil, became available via online platforms like Amazon and select retail channels, targeting health-conscious consumers seeking plant-based fats with high smoke points. In July 2025, Corbion obtained regulatory approvals in to commercialize AlgaPrime DHA for both and nutrition markets. Beyond these core integrations, TerraVia's skincare legacy persisted through the Algenist brand, which Tengram Capital Partners had acquired a majority stake in for $20.2 million in 2016, with TerraVia retaining a 20% interest and supplying algae-derived actives like Alguronic Acid. The facility, originally a with Bunge, was fully acquired by in 2018 and continues to produce AlgaPrime at industrial scale, supporting global omega-3 demand without repurposing. As of 2025, no active TerraVia entity exists, but its technologies underpin a substantial portion of the global algal omega-3 supply through and licensees, contributing to a market projected to reach $1.4 billion amid rising demand for sustainable nutrition.

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