Braskem joins Michelin-Amyris renewable isoprene project

The partnership between Michelin and Amyris to develop and commercialise isoprene sourced by renewable feedstocks has now been in place for three years, and Michelin announced today that a third company has joined the collaboration. Thermoplastic resins and biopolymers producer Braskem will work together with the other two companies to develop a technology that enables plant sugars, such as those found in Brazilian sugarcane or cellulosic feedstocks, to be used to produce renewable isoprene. The addition of Braskem is expected to accelerate the technology’s industrialisation.

Although the companies have elected not to disclose details of their agreement, including the amount each party has invested, the partnership involves Amyris sharing its rights to commercialise the technology developed under this collaboration with Braskem. Michelin will maintain certain preferential, but not exclusive, access to the renewable isoprene produced by this technology.

“With this new partnership, we join forces with Amyris and Michelin in the development of an innovative technology that strengthens our commitment to improve people’s lives, creating solutions through sustainable chemistry,” said Luciano Guidolin, Braskem’s vice-president for Polyolefins and Renewables.

“Braskem is an ideal partner to join our isoprene project with Michelin. They bring the right expertise and share in our commitment to transform the chemical industry through sustainable product innovation and superior performance,” said John Melo, president & CEO of Amyris. “Amyris has led the way in producing long-chain hydrocarbon molecules via fermentation, from anti-malarial drug precursors to long-chain hydrocarbon molecules used in cosmetic emollients and even fuels. Building on the success of this proven technology to produce tailored hydrocarbons, we are revolutionising the way products are made, one molecule at a time.”

“We are pleased to have a strong industrial partner join our ongoing collaboration with Amyris. Braskem’s chemical industry experience, coupled with Amyris’s biotechnology expertise, will support Michelin’s goal of addressing the long-term needs of the tyre industry for sustainable sourcing with renewable chemicals,” said Jean-Christophe Guerin, head of Michelin’s Materials Division.

The original agreement between Michelin and Amyris was expected to deliver commercial quantities of renewable isoprene for use in the tyre industry by 2015. Michelin committed itself to “off-take volumes” for a ten-year period.