Zeon in linkup to commercialise bio-isoprene monomers

Tokyo – Zeon Corp. has signed a memorandum of understanding with US startup Visolis to advance the commercialisation of products such as bio-isoprene monomers and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

Based in Hayward, California, Visolis has developed a manufacturing platform that combines AI, synthetic biology and catalysis technologies to produce 'carbon negative' replacements for petrochemicals and fuels for various industries.

Under the agreement, the two companies will investigate the feasibility of commercialising Visolis’ technology to produce bio-isoprene monomers and SAF, the Japanese group said 9 April.

In this context, Zeon said it recently accomplished “a world first” by synthesising bio-SIS (lead image) using bio-isoprene monomers produced through Visolis’ proprietary technology.

At the same time, Visolis concurrently achieved a 50-fold increase in its production capacity of bio-isoprene monomers, Zeon added.

As part of the new agreement, Zeon said it will begin providing evaluation samples to potential customers in markets with a high demand for bio-based materials like footwear, tires, etc.

Zeon is already an investor in Visolis and the latest agreement is aligned with its strategy to accelerate sustainability efforts.