Aemetis Granted Fifth U.S. Patent for Cellulosic Biochemical and Biofuel Technology

Aemetis Granted Fifth U.S. Patent for Cellulosic Biochemical and Biofuel Technology

Another Significant Milestone for Aemetis Z-Microbe Development

CUPERTINO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Aemetis, Inc. (OTCPK: AMTX), an advanced fuels and renewable chemicals company, announced today that the company was awarded a patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) titled "Hydrolytic Enzyme Mixtures For Saccharification of Lignocellulosic Polysaccharides", and issued U.S. Patent No. 8,273,557. This patent relates to advanced plant cell wall degradative systems, specifically enzymes that bind to and/or depolymerize cellulose.

These cell wall degrading systems have a number of applications, including a method of producing cellulosic ethanol. With this new patent award, Aemetis holds 5 awarded patents, 6 filed patents, and 4 licensed patents. In addition, Aemetis recently announced signing the first global license for the Chevron Lummus Global catalytic hydrolysis refining process, which produces 100% replacement jet and diesel fuel from plant and algal oils.

"The saccharophagus degradans microbe contains more than 90 enzymes that break down plant material," stated Dr. Steven Hutcheson, a board member of Aemetis. "Cell wall degradation is a foundational attribute of the Z-microbe enzymes, enabling the release of a new source of less expensive cellulosic sugar for use in fuels and chemicals production."

"The patented Z-microbe technology is being developed to reduce feedstock costs, carbon intensity and energy use while enabling the synergistic, integrated production of advanced fuels and industrial biochemicals from renewable feedstocks," explained Eric McAfee, Chairman and CEO of Aemetis. "We use these Aemetis technologies to convert and expand existing biofuels and oil refining facilities to produce high value renewable fuels and biochemicals at a lower cost than petroleum products."

About Aemetis

Aemetis, Inc. is an advanced fuels and renewable chemicals company headquartered in Cupertino, California. Aemetis retrofitted, owns and operates a 55 million gallon renewable fuels plant in California; and built, owns and operates a 50 million gallon renewable chemicals and advanced fuels production facility on the east coast of India. Aemetis is the first global licensee of the Chevron Lummus Global Biofuels ISOCONVERSION Process to produce 100% replacement jet and diesel fuel from plant and algal oil feedstock. Aemetis operates a research and development laboratory at the Maryland Biotech Center, and holds five granted patents and four licensed patents on its Z-microbe and related technology for the production of renewable fuels and chemicals.

In 2011, Aemetis received a California Energy Commission grant to commercialize technology that enables the production of advanced biofuels from both non-food and traditional feedstocks. For additional information about Aemetis, please visit www.aemetis.com.

Forward Looking Statements

The information contained herein includes forward-looking statements related to future events. Statements regarding future events are based on current expectations and are necessarily subject to associated risks related to, among other things, the ability of the company to adequately protect our technologies, the availability of resources used for industrial production, and the ability of the company to successfully defend or prosecute intellectual property rights. Actual results may differ materially from those in the projections or other forward-looking statements made herein. For information regarding other related risks, please see the "Risk Factors" section of the company's filings with the SEC.

Media Contact:
Aemetis, Inc.
Melanie Borchardt, 408-213-0938
mborchardt@aemetis.com
or
Investor Relations:
Liviakis Financial
Michael Bayes, 415-389-4670
or
Investor & Analyst Contact:
Aemetis, Inc.
Todd Waltz, 408-213-0925
twaltz@aemetis.com

KEYWORDS: United States North America California

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