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A researcher at the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs was granted a patent for a new process to make a key ingredient in synthetic rubber from bio-based rather than petroleum-based materials. Associate Professor Jennifer Kuzma discovered how to produce isoprene from bacteria while doing doctoral research at the University of Colorado–Bolder. She shared the patent with Professor Ray Fall and Michele Nemecek-Marshall.

“Isoprene is a chemical compound commonly used in industry that we currently get from petroleum” says Kuzma, chair of the science, technology, and environmental policy area at the Humphrey Institute. “My colleagues and I discovered that bacteria produce isoprene and examined under what conditions they produce large amounts. This discovery contributes to finding an alternative and renewable form of isoprene.”

About 95% of isoprene production is used to produce a synthetic version of natural rubber for tire applications, adhesives, elastomers and other styrene applications. Genencor, a division of Danisco A/S, and The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. have entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with the researchers to use their patented process to develop BioIsoprene™. Use of the renewable alternative could make the tire and rubber industry less reliant on oil-derived products, such as synthetic rubber made from petroleum-derived isoprene.

“It’s exciting to have been part of a project that could have a positive effect on the environment and reduce our dependence on oil,” says Kuzma.

Genencor plans to manufacture and supply BioIsoprene™ to Goodyear and other companies by 2012.

October 13, 2008