Goodyear and Visolis Upcycle for Isoprene
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, a renowned global tire manufacturer, and Visolis, an innovative sustainable technology firm, have joined forces in a groundbreaking collaborative endeavour.
Their shared mission is to create isoprene by repurposing biobased materials, marking a significant step toward environmental sustainability. This collaborative effort has received substantial backing in the form of a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant recently awarded to Visolis.
Isoprene, a critical precursor in the production of certain types of synthetic rubber, is typically a by-product of crude oil refining. It serves as the foundational building block for polyisoprene, a key raw material used in the manufacturing of tires and various other products.
By employing Visolis' cutting-edge technology, the partnership between Visolis and Goodyear aims to harness the potential of lignocellulosic feedstocks derived from non-edible biomass and agricultural resources to produce top-tier isoprene.
A preliminary analysis of the carbon footprint conducted by Visolis underscores the potential for substantial reductions, which will be explored further as part of their ongoing collaboration with Goodyear.
Dr. Deepak Dugar, CEO of Visolis, expressed his enthusiasm for this partnership, emphasising how their revolutionary technology can convert waste materials into invaluable monomers. He underscored the partnership's dedication to sustainable practices and the advancement of advanced materials that drive positive change.
Chris Helsel, Senior Vice President of Global Operations and Chief Technology Officer at Goodyear, stressed the significance of innovation and collaboration in their sustainability journey. He highlighted the importance of partnerships with companies like Visolis as a means to continuously learn, innovate, and contribute to a brighter future.
Goodyear is actively in pursuit of sustainable material options that not only meet their rigorous quality and safety standards but also deliver exceptional product performance.
To advance their commitment to sustainable material use, Goodyear's technology teams are exploring novel sources of raw materials and integrating innovative solutions. An excellent example of this commitment is the demonstration tire made of 90% sustainable materials, unveiled by Goodyear earlier this year. In collaboration with its supply base, Goodyear is gearing up to introduce a tire containing up to 70% sustainable materials in the near future.
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Source: Goodyear
