Tyre, food majors target biochemical process for rubber industry

New York - Genencor, part of Danisco A/S, and Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. have teamed up to jointly develop a "breakthrough bio-based process" for producing isoprene using renewable raw materials. The companies expect to complete work on the production technology by 2010, and to commission a first large-scale manufacturing plant by 2012. The end product, called BioIsoprene, is intended to provide a bio-based alternative to petroleum-derived  isoprene - an important feedstock for synthetic rubber prodution.

Danisco estimates the annual world market potential for high purity isoprene at $1-2 billion. BioIsoprene, said the partners, will "address this market as a renewable and cost-competitive alternative to petroleum-derived isoprene which is currently used in the production of synthetic rubber for tyre applications, adhesives, elastomers and other styrene applications."

Under a collaboration deal, Genencor is to manufacture and supply Goodyear with BioIsoprene through a strategic supply arrangement, and also expects sell BioIsoprene  to third parties. The Danisco company was previously involved in a joint initiative with DuPont that led to the development of an advanced bioprocess to produce 1.3 propanediol, now sold as Sorona produced by DuPont and Tate & Lyle.

Danisco and Goodyear have been working together for over a year to validate the project , establish the teams and secure intellectual property assets. Over the next three years, Danisco said it will invest aropund $50 million to continue technology development, scale-up and deliver manufacturing cost targets, and also expects to make further investments in pilot plant operations and manufacturing infrastructure.

"We truly see this as a unique opportunity that is consistent with our culture of innovation and industry leadership,¹ says Jean-Claude Kihn, Goodyear's chief technology officer. "Since synthetic rubber is a critical component to our products, we are very excited to be working on this renewable alternative with Genencor."

"Danisco sees this announcement as a major leap towards a bio-based future driven by renewable resources," added Tom Knutzen, CEO of Danisco. "Our Genencor division is one of the leading forces in industrial biotechnology  and, once again, proves that with this project. Today¹s announcement joins our recent joint venture with DuPont on cellulosic ethanol as another important milestone in changing the strategic profile of our company by capturing a bigger part of the value chain in these exciting markets."