Goodyear Produced BioIsoprene Tyres to Feature at UN Conference

Copenhagen is hosting the United Nations Climate Change Conference, and present at the event will be the world's first concept demonstration tyres made with BioIsoprene technology. This breakthrough substance, which replaces a petrochemically produced ingredient used in the manufacture of synthetic rubber with renewable biomass, made its debut in the Danish city in early December. Several tyres, produced in collaboration between Goodyear and industrial biotechnology company Genencor, have been shipped to Copenhagen. One will make appearances at several events during the conference. Others will be displayed in several locations, including at Copenhagen International Airport’s departure lounge through to December 21.

“Goodyear’s first concept tyre manufactured with BioIsoprene shows the enormous progress we have made in using a bio-based alternative to the petroleum-derived raw material isoprene in our production process,” said Jesse Roeck, director, Global Materials Science at Goodyear. “The development of BioIsoprene could make Goodyear less dependent on oil-derived products. We share Genencor’s vision of lessening industry impact on the environment by applying renewable raw materials in the supply chain.”

“We are literally rolling out an important milestone in our collaboration with Goodyear on a breakthrough biochemical,” says Tom Knutzen, CEO of Genencor parent company Danisco. “BioIsoprene is an excellent example of Danisco’s leadership in industrial biotechnology through our Genencor division. As we deliver enzymes to existing markets, we are also investing in future bio-innovations with extraordinary potential to address the world’s most urgent business and environmental challenges.”

Beyond tyres, BioIsoprene is expected to offer vast potential in other applications, such as other rubber products and adhesives. The market for isoprene could reach up to five billion kilograms per year by 2012, says Genencor. The company plans to bring the technology to pilot stage within two years, followed by commercial production.

“We’re building advanced biorefineries of the future through strategic collaborations, such as our work with Goodyear and our joint venture DuPont Danisco Cellulosic Ethanol, as well as public-private partnerships,” says Philippe Lavielle, executive vice president of Business Development for Genencor. “By joining forces with other industry leaders and leveraging our cutting edge biotech capabilities, we’re able to accelerate development and deployment of breakthrough technologies like BioIsoprene.”