Myriant Technologies, Inc. Announces J. Brian Ferguson to Join Advisory Board

QUINCY, Mass., March 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Myriant Technologies, Inc. (Myriant), a privately-held, biotech developer and manufacturer of renewable bio-based chemicals, announces the addition of J. Brian Ferguson to its Board of Advisors effective immediately.  Mr. Ferguson, 56, is the former CEO and Chairman of Eastman Chemical Company, a global chemical company engaged in the manufacture and sale of a broad portfolio of chemicals, plastics and fibers.  

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"I am honored and excited to have Brian Ferguson join our Board of Advisors.  Between his tenure as CEO of Eastman and chairmanship of the American Chemistry Council, it is hard to imagine someone with a stronger grasp of the issues and influences surrounding our business," said Stephen J. Gatto, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Myriant.  "We look forward to Mr. Ferguson bringing his wealth of experience and global understanding of the business to Myriant as we transform the chemical markets with our bio-based platform."

"Myriant is an exciting young company that is shaping the new chemical industry landscape by creating the products and processes of the future," said Mr. Ferguson.  "I'm very happy to have a part in this visionary leadership and Myriant's continuing achievements in bio-based chemicals."

Mr. Ferguson served as CEO and Chairman of Eastman from January of 2002 through June of 2008, and as Executive Chairman of the Board from June 2008 through December 2010.  Prior to his roles as CEO/Chairman, Mr. Ferguson was President of Eastman's Chemicals Group where he had direct responsibility for all chemicals-based business organizations, as well as the manufacturing, sales, pricing and product management, technology and geographical aspects of the business group.

Mr. Ferguson has served as a director of Nextera Energy, Inc. (formerly FPL Group) since 2005.  He was Chairman of the American Chemistry Council in 2010, and was a member of the Business Roundtable and the board of the National Association of Manufacturers prior to his retirement from Eastman.  

Mr. Ferguson joins existing Advisory Board members Norman R. Augustine, Robert McFarlane and Chairman R. James Woolsey. Myriant's Advisory Board advises the company's Board of Directors and management in the Company's strategic decision making process and other matters including business and organizational development, technology, policy and outreach.

With a world-renowned team of molecular biologists, engineers and chemists, Myriant utilizes proprietary technology to advance the development of low-cost cellulosic sugars for the sustainable commercialization of high-value specialty chemicals.  The company's D(-) lactic acid started production at commercial scale in June 2008 for use in polylactic acid. Myriant is headquartered in Quincy, Massachusetts. Details are available at www.myriant.com.

SOURCE Myriant Technologies, Inc.