U.S. based Myriant Corporation ("Myriant") and Japan based Sojitz Corporation ("Sojitz") have signed an agreement for the creation of a sales and marketing partnership to distribute biobased succinic acid in Japan, China, South Korea and Taiwan (the "Territory"). Sojitz and Myriant will collaborate in the sales and marketing of biobased succinic acid exclusively in the Territory for applications such as plasticizers, polymers, urethanes and solvents.

Kao has developed a new cleansing technology based on a study of surfactant properties in aqueous solutions. A mixture of anionic surfactants, which exhibits well-balanced properties of aggregability and water solubility, as the main cleansing agent is the key to this technology. The Beauty Research Center of Kao Corporation has been conducting research on skin cleansing technology based on skin science and surface science.

Aqua Bio Technology ASA (ABT) has entered into commercial distribution agreement in Asia for its patented ingredient Aquabeautine XL™ with Japanese company SCETI K.K. The agreement yields SCETI K.K. exclusivity on marketing and distribution of ABT's products in Japan.

Arizona Chemical, announced it has entered into an exclusive agreement with Matsumoto Trading Co., Ltd., to distribute the company's unique line of bio-based specialty polymers to the personal care industry in Japan.