MEDIA ADVISORY

Elevance Renewable Sciences Announces $1 Million Partnership With Trent University Biomaterials Research Laboratories

Bolingbrook, IL. — Elevance Renewable Sciences, Inc. announced today that it is investing $1 million in a partnership with Trent University Biomaterials Research Laboratories, based in Peterborough, Ontario. Elevance attended today's official opening of the laboratories, which will be used to develop new biomaterials, biochemicals and bioproducts from natural oils.

This partnership will combine the findings of Trent University's talented team of researchers, led by Dr. Suresh Narine, with Elevance's expertise at commercializing bio-based products. Elevance is currently a leader in converting renewable resources into performance products such as specialty waxes, personal care ingredients and lubricants. Through this collaboration, new biomaterials will be developed from oilseed crops such as soybeans, canola, flax, hemp and jatropha. In addition, the Ontario Soybean Growers organization will work with Elevance and Trent University on a major industrial research project.

"Trent University is a leader in environmental research, and we are excited to partner with the Biomaterial Research Laboratories on the research and development of products using renewable materials," said K'Lynne Johnson, CEO of Elevance. "Dr. Narine is an accomplished scientist, and we look forward to working with him and his team to take scientific findings out of the laboratory and into the marketplace."

Dr. Suresh Narine emphasizes that his team's research will produce commercial and environmental benefits. "Our research offers an alternative solution – to employ agriculture (fats and oils) to create renewable feedstocks that then can be converted using science to create materials more environmentally benign and more in sync with the natural carbon cycle to abate and combat climate change. This is a way to keep the lifestyle to which we have become accustomed, but without the destructive impacts. On behalf of my team of researchers and Trent University, I would like to offer our deep appreciation to Elevance for their financial commitment that will place Trent's Biomaterials Research Laboratory among one of the top facilities in the world."

"This collaboration with Elevance represents an important strategic partnership for Trent University," says Dr. Steven E. Franklin, president and vice-chancellor of Trent University. "The commercialization potential of Trent's Biomaterials Research Program is impressive and only matched by its many ecological benefits including reclaiming carbons, adding value to agricultural commodities, creating sustainable products and abating climate change. Trent is very grateful to Elevance for this significant and generous investment that will generate groundbreaking new research with an international impact."

Research into biomaterials allows for the development of products that perform as well or better than their petroleum based alternatives and that are also safe, toxin-free and environmentally-sound. Unlike fossil fuel-based products, those developed using renewable resources leave a minimal carbon footprint and can be generated with a naturally recurring supply of materials.

About Elevance Renewable Sciences, Inc.

Based in Bolingbrook, Ill., Elevance Renewable Sciences, Inc. creates a wide range of specialty chemicals from natural oils. Using a Nobel Prize winning technology called olefin metathesis; the company creates high performance waxes, functional oils, anti-microbials, lubricants, additives and other chemicals. Elevance was named one of Business Week's Top 10 Most Successful Startups of 2008. To learn more about the company, visit www.elevance.com.

About Trent University

One of Canada's top universities, Trent University is renowned for striking a unique balance between outstanding teaching and leading-edge research. The University is consistently recognized nationally for faculty who maintain a high level of innovative research activity and a deep commitment to the individual student. Distinguished by excellence in the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences and increasingly popular professional and graduate programs, Trent is dedicated to providing its students with an exceptional world view, producing graduates who are ready to succeed and make a difference in the world. Trent's Peterborough campus boasts award-winning architecture in a breathtaking natural setting on the banks of the Otonabee River. Together with its satellite campus in Oshawa, Trent draws excellent students from throughout the country and around the world. To learn more about Trent visit www.trentu.ca.