Brazilian petrochemical giant Braskem has joined an existing collaboration of bio-based farnesene producer Amrys and tire manufacturer Michelin to develop and commercialise renewable isoprene sourced from various biomass. Under the extended cooperation, the three companies will try to develop a technology to utilize plant sugars, such as those found in Brazilian sugarcane or cellulosic feedstocks.

The addition of Braskem, the largest petrochemical company in the Americas and global leader in the production of biopolymers, is expected to accelerate the industrialization of renewable isoprene. Amyris will share commercialization rights to technology developed in the collaboration, while Michelin will maintain certain preferential, but not exclusive, access to the renewable isoprene produced. The project will give Michelin an additional sustainable sourcing channel for polyisoprene as used in high-performance tires. Amyris has been a leader in producing long-chain hydrocarbon molecules via fermentation, from anti-malarial drug precursors to long-chain hydrocarbon molecules used in cosmetic emollients and fuels.