CLERMONT-FERRAND, France—Brazilian petrochemical producer Braskem S.A. is joining a collaboration researching sustainable sources for polyisoprene that was started in 2011 by Michelin and Amyris Inc.
Sao Paulo-based Braskem, considered the largest petrochemical company in the Americas, will help the partnership develop a technology to utilize plant sugars, such as those found in Brazilian sugarcane or cellulosic feedstocks, Michelin said.
Michelin and Emeryville, Calif.-based Amyris agreed in 2011 to work together to develop technology for producing isoprene, the chemical building block in rubber for tires, from renewable feedstocks.
More specifically, Michelin and Amyris agreed to contribute funding and technical resources to develop and commercialize Amyris' “No Compromise” technology to produce isoprene from renewable feedstocks.