The Company	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
The Company	THE COMPANY Nature of Business—TerraVia Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated in the State of Delaware on March 31, 2003. The Company produces food, nutrition and specialty ingredients from algae. In May 2016, the Company changed its name from “Solazyme, Inc.” to “TerraVia Holdings, Inc.”, and changed its Nasdaq ticker listing symbol from SZYM to TVIA. The Company’s proprietary technology uses microalgae to produce high-value triglyceride oils, proteins, fibers, micronutrients and other ingredients. The Company has developed and is commercializing products for food and nutrition ingredients, animal nutrition ingredients and specialty personal care applications and its products can replace or enhance products derived from the world’s three existing oil sources: petroleum, plants and animal fats. The Company's technology platform harnesses the oil and protein-producing characteristics of microalgae and the Company is able to tailor the composition of its oils, powders and other bioproducts to address specific customer requirements. The Company uses standard fermentation equipment to convert sugars into the desired end product. By feeding plant-based sugars to the Company’s proprietary microalgae in enclosed fermentation tanks, the Company is in effect utilizing “indirect photosynthesis.” The Company is involved in a highly competitive industry that is characterized by the risks of changing technologies, market conditions and regulatory requirements. Penetration into markets requires investment of considerable resources and continuous development efforts. The Company’s future success depends upon several factors, including the technological quality, price, and performance of its products and services relative to those of its competitors, scaling up of production for commercial sale, ability to secure adequate project financing at appropriate terms, and the nature of regulation in its target markets. Discontinued Operations—As further described in Note 3, on August 16, 2016 the Company sold its Algenist skincare business to TCP Algenist LLC, an affiliate of Tengram Capital Partners and Algenist Holdings, Inc. in exchange for $20.2 million in cash (before $1.4 million closing costs), 19.9% of the fully diluted equity of Algenist Holdings, Inc. and the assumption of substantially all of the liabilities related to the Algenist skincare business by Algenist Holdings, Inc. The Algenist skincare business was previously presented as an operating segment. The results of operations and financial position of Algenist have been presented as discontinued operations for all periods. Unless otherwise noted, the notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements pertain to continuing operations. Liquidity—The Company has incurred substantial net losses since its inception; the Company incurred net losses of $74.4 million and $106.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Accumulated deficit was $684.3 million as of September 30, 2016. Net cash used in operating activities was $49.5 million and $69.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities available for sale were $87.8 million as of September 30, 2016. The Company is an emerging growth company with a limited operating history. The Company is relatively early in commercializing its food, nutrition and specialty ingredient products. To date, a substantial portion of revenues has consisted of funding from third party collaborative research agreements and government grants. The Company has generated limited revenues from commercial sales. Net losses may continue as the Company ramps up manufacturing capacity and builds out its product pipeline. The Company expects to incur additional costs and expenses related to the continued development and expansion of its business, including research and development, the operation of its facility in Peoria, Illinois ("Peoria Facility"), and the ramp up and operation of the commercial production facility in Brazil ("Solazyme Bunge JV") through its joint venture with Bunge Global Innovation, LLC (together with its affiliates, "Bunge"). The Company, along with its development and commercialization partners, needs to develop products successfully, cost effectively produce them in large quantities and market and sell such products profitably. The Company’s failure to generate sufficient revenues, achieve adequate gross margins, control operating costs or raise sufficient additional funds may require it to modify, delay or abandon its planned operations, which could have a material adverse effect on the business, operating results, financial condition and ability to achieve intended business objectives. The Company may be required to seek additional funds through collaborations, public or private debt or equity financings or government programs, and may also seek to reduce expenses related to the Company’s operations. There can be no assurance that any additional financing will be available or on acceptable terms.

THE COMPANY

Nature of Business—TerraVia Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated in the State of Delaware on March 31, 2003. The Company produces food, nutrition and specialty ingredients from algae. In May 2016, the Company changed its name from “Solazyme, Inc.” to “TerraVia Holdings, Inc.”, and changed its Nasdaq ticker listing symbol from SZYM to TVIA.

The Company’s proprietary technology uses microalgae to produce high-value triglyceride oils, proteins, fibers, micronutrients and other ingredients. The Company has developed and is commercializing products for food and nutrition ingredients, animal nutrition ingredients and specialty personal care applications and its products can replace or enhance products derived from the world’s three existing oil sources: petroleum, plants and animal fats. The Company's technology platform harnesses the oil and protein-producing characteristics of microalgae and the Company is able to tailor the composition of its oils, powders and other bioproducts to address specific customer requirements. The Company uses standard fermentation equipment to convert sugars into the desired end product. By feeding plant-based sugars to the Company’s proprietary microalgae in enclosed fermentation tanks, the Company is in effect utilizing “indirect photosynthesis.”

The Company is involved in a highly competitive industry that is characterized by the risks of changing technologies, market conditions and regulatory requirements. Penetration into markets requires investment of considerable resources and continuous development efforts. The Company’s future success depends upon several factors, including the technological quality, price, and performance of its products and services relative to those of its competitors, scaling up of production for commercial sale, ability to secure adequate project financing at appropriate terms, and the nature of regulation in its target markets.

Discontinued Operations—As further described in Note 3, on August 16, 2016 the Company sold its Algenist skincare business to TCP Algenist LLC, an affiliate of Tengram Capital Partners and Algenist Holdings, Inc. in exchange for $20.2 million in cash (before $1.4 million closing costs), 19.9% of the fully diluted equity of Algenist Holdings, Inc. and the assumption of substantially all of the liabilities related to the Algenist skincare business by Algenist Holdings, Inc. The Algenist skincare business was previously presented as an operating segment. The results of operations and financial position of Algenist have been presented as discontinued operations for all periods. Unless otherwise noted, the notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements pertain to continuing operations.

Liquidity—The Company has incurred substantial net losses since its inception; the Company incurred net losses of $74.4 million and $106.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Accumulated deficit was $684.3 million as of September 30, 2016. Net cash used in operating activities was $49.5 million and $69.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities available for sale were $87.8 million as of September 30, 2016.

The Company is an emerging growth company with a limited operating history. The Company is relatively early in commercializing its food, nutrition and specialty ingredient products. To date, a substantial portion of revenues has consisted of funding from third party collaborative research agreements and government grants. The Company has generated limited revenues from commercial sales.

Net losses may continue as the Company ramps up manufacturing capacity and builds out its product pipeline. The Company expects to incur additional costs and expenses related to the continued development and expansion of its business, including research and development, the operation of its facility in Peoria, Illinois ("Peoria Facility"), and the ramp up and operation of the commercial production facility in Brazil ("Solazyme Bunge JV") through its joint venture with Bunge Global Innovation, LLC (together with its affiliates, "Bunge").

The Company, along with its development and commercialization partners, needs to develop products successfully, cost effectively produce them in large quantities and market and sell such products profitably. The Company’s failure to generate sufficient revenues, achieve adequate gross margins, control operating costs or raise sufficient additional funds may require it to modify, delay or abandon its planned operations, which could have a material adverse effect on the business, operating results, financial condition and ability to achieve intended business objectives. The Company may be required to seek additional funds through collaborations, public or private debt or equity financings or government programs, and may also seek to reduce expenses related to the Company’s operations. There can be no assurance that any additional financing will be available or on acceptable terms.