Renewable materials specialist Amyris (Emeryville, California / USA; www.amyris.com) has signed a collaboration agreement with Kuraray (Tokyo / Japan; www.kuraray.co.jp) to develop innovative polymers from “Biofene”, a renewable farnesene hydrocarbon building block produced using Amyris technology. Through the agreement, the Japanese chemicals producer will use the material to replace petroleum-derived feedstocks such as butadiene and isoprene in the production of a range of high performance polymers.

Once the technical development program for the first polymer is completed, the companies will enter into an exclusive supply agreement for Kuraray’s use of “Biofene” in the manufacturing and commercialisation of polymer products.

In May 2011, Amyris began production at its first industrial-scale plant for the production of “Biofene” in Piracicaba, São Paulo / Brazil, at a facility owned by animal nutrition specialist Biomin do Brasil Nutricão Animal. The material is produced in three 200,000 litre fermenters into which cane sugar syrup is fed along with an Amyris proprietary yeast. The yeast digests the syrup, producing “Biofene”, which is then separated and purified. The material is sold directly into industrial applications or put through simple chemical finishing steps to form a broad range of renewable products including squalane (used as an emollient and moisturiser), base oil, finished lubricants and diesel.

Amyris said that the material’s structure can help improve a polymer’s properties, bringing renewable application opportunities in polymer production. Amyris is developing a number of polymers and ingredients utilising the material that are designed for applications in the plasticiser, packaging, lubricant additive and adhesive markets.

“We are committed to bringing innovative, high-performing and sustainable products to the polymers market,” said Amyris CEO John Melo. “Partnering with an industry leader like Kuraray allows us to expand the use of “Biofene” to produce high-performance polymers as well as strengthen our timely and successful route to market.” The company added that as it develops and produces new building blocks from its microbial platform, the molecules will have the potential to provide a range of renewable polymers for a variety of markets.