Ajinomoto and Bridgestone announced a joint collaboration in developing synthetic rubber from bio-based isoprene, a new material produced using fermentation technology from biomass raw material. By 2013, the partners aim to commercialise this synthetic rubber for tyres.
Addressing this challenge, the two companies signed an agreement in June 2011 to jointly research synthetic rubber using new rubber raw materials and its applications as they embark on the research. Ajinomoto has successfully manufactured bio-based isoprene at the laboratory scale using a fermentation process from biomass raw material, and Bridgestone has also succeeded to produce synthetic rubber (polyisoprene) from Ajinomoto’s bio-based isoprene.
The two companies plan to put their advantages to the best use to develop synthetic rubber from biomass, thereby ensuring the stable production of synthetic rubber from sustainable resources, and helping diversify rubber resources.
The development of bio-based isoprene marks an important step in replacing petrochemical raw materials with sustainable biological raw materials. It is one way we are working to build low-carbon and sustainable communities that embrace recycling.
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