Genencor and Goodyear to co-develop renewable alternative to petroleum-derived isoprene

Notice no. 13/2008
Genencor, a division of Danisco A/S, and The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. today announced a research collaboration to develop a breakthrough bio-based process for producing isoprene using renewable raw materials.

Goodyear and Genencor are developing BioIsoprene™, a revolutionary bio-based alternative for the petroleum-derived chemical compound isoprene. BioIsoprene™ can be used for the production of synthetic rubber – which in turn is an alternative to natural rubber – and other elastomers. The development of BioIsoprene™ could make the tyre and rubber industry less dependent on oil-derived products, such as synthetic rubber made from petroleum-derived isoprene monomer.

Danisco bases its investment on conservative estimates, placing the annual world market potential for high purity isoprene at a value of USD 1-2 billion. BioIsopreneTM 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.

Genencor plans to manufacture and supply Goodyear with BioIsopreneTM through a strategic supply arrangement. Goodyear is one of the world’s largest users of isoprene for the production of synthetic rubber and other elastomers. Sales of BioIsopreneTM by Genencor to third parties are also anticipated for all market applications of high purity isoprene.

Danisco and Goodyear have been investing jointly for more than a year to validate the project, establish the teams and secure intellectual property assets. To date, our technical progress has exceeded expectations. Over the next three years, Danisco will invest approximately USD 50 million to continue technology development, scale-up and deliver manufacturing cost targets. Additional investments to establish pilot plant operations and manufacturing infrastructure are expected. We expect technical readiness by 2010 and commission of the first large-scale manufacturing plant by 2012. Key technical and commercial accomplishments will be communicated as the effort progresses.
 
For Goodyear, a bio-based alternative to synthetic rubber would be an important advancement as the company seeks innovative approaches to addressing raw material needs. The company is committed to reducing its carbon footprint, and BioIsoprene™ produced from renewable materials will help achieve this goal.
 
‘We truly see this as a unique opportunity that is consistent with our culture of innovation and industry leadership,’ 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.’
 
For Danisco and its Genencor division, BioIsoprene™ is part of its strategic focus to build bio-based systems for biochemical and biofuel production. The Genencor division is critical to unlocking this potential, because it has a long track record as a pioneer in industrial biotechnology and continues to deliver breakthrough bio-based solutions across industries. An example is the 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. The project earned the US Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award in 2003.

‘Danisco sees this announcement as a major leap towards a bio-based future driven by renewable resources,’ adds 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. Today’s 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.’

Danisco will host a conference call at 3 pm (CET) today for shareholders, investors and the media. A slide presentation for this event will be accessible under Investor Relations at www.danisco.com.

Yours faithfully

Tom Knutzen
CEO

For further information, please contact:
Danisco Investor Relations: Julie Quist, tel.: +45 3266 2925, investor@danisco.com
Danisco Media Relations: Natalie E. Weber, tel.: +45 3266 2927, natalie.weber@danisco.com
Genencor Media (Europe): Francis Stalder, tel.: +31 71 56 86 304, francis.stalder@danisco.com
Goodyear: Scott Baughman, tel.: +1 330 796 1136, sbaughman@goodyear.com
Goodyear: Rob Whitehouse, tel.: +1 330 796 8517, robwhitehouse@goodyear.com

About Goodyear
Goodyear is one of the world's largest tyre companies. Fortune magazine named Goodyear the World's Most Admired Motor Vehicle Parts Company in its 2008 list of the World's Most Admired Companies. The publication ranked Goodyear no. 1 in innovation, people management, use of assets and global orientation. The company is also listed on Forbes magazine's list of the Most Trustworthy Companies in America and CRO magazine's ranking of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens. Goodyear employs about 70,000 people and manufactures its products at more than 60 facilities in 25 countries around the world. For more information about Goodyear, go to www.goodyear.com/corporate.

To find out more about BioIsoprene™, visit www.genencor.com, or contact Richard LaDuca, Senior Director Business Development at tel. +1 650 846 7537.

Top

Print

Mail a colleague about this page