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SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES TOP > News > 2022 > Successful Synthesis of Biopolymer for Development of Ultimate Fuel-Efficient Tires～Contributing to Sustainable Societies through Natural Rubber Bioengineering～

Successful Synthesis of Biopolymer for Development of Ultimate Fuel-Efficient Tires～Contributing to Sustainable Societies through Natural Rubber Bioengineering～

Oct. 13. 2022

Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. is pleased to announce that, as a result of joint research undertaken with Associate Professor Seiji Takahashi of Tohoku University, Associate Professor Satoshi Yamashita of Kanazawa University and Professor Yuzuru Tozawa of Saitama University, we have succeeded in synthesizing new biopolymers that will accelerate the development of the ultimate fuel-efficient tires. Our research team recently discovered that the use of modified tomato enzymes (developed as part of our prior research) as a polymerization catalyst makes it possible to select polymer*1 initial monomers*2 at will. Based on this discovery, we have now succeeded in synthesizing biopolymers incorporating initial monomers that are more conducive to improving tire performance. Through our ongoing research, we aim to contribute to the realization of sustainable societies by developing tires that take fuel efficiency to all-new heights for the 2040s and beyond.


Our research team had previously succeeded in synthesizing a biopolymer not found in nature by first identifying the segment of natural rubber synthase that plays a key role in determining polymer chain lengths and then replacing this segment with a similar segment of a specially modified enzyme derived from tomatoes.

Having since furthered our research on modified tomato enzymes, we recently discovered that the use of modified tomato enzymes weakens initial monomer selectivity, which in turn allows for synthesis starting from monomers other than the initial monomers typically involved in the initiation of polymerization. In addition, by taking advantage of this newfound characteristic, we have now succeeded in synthesizing entirely new biopolymers incorporating initial monomers that we have selected at will.


Image of Synthesis (Polymerization) Reaction with Tomato Enzyme as Catalyst

❶ Normal Synthesis of Natural Rubber ❷-① By using the modified enzyme as a catalyst, we succeeded in synthesizing a biopolymer that, while having a structure unlike natural rubber, nevertheless features a chain length that is comparable to natural rubber. (June 30, 2022 News Release) ❷-② Next, we succeeded in synthesizing new biopolymers featuring the initial monomers that we selected.

We recently announced the results of our research at the 33rd Annual Association for Advancement of Industrial Crops (AAIC) Meeting*3 held in Bozeman, Montana (USA) from October 9 through October 12, 2022. Moving forward, the Sumitomo Rubber Group will continue working to contribute to the realization of sustainable societies through our ongoing efforts to ensure a stable supply of natural rubber while providing tires that combine safety and peace of mind with reduced environmental impact.


※1 & 2. A monomer is a single molecule that can bond with other monomers to form chainlike macromolecules called polymers. “Polymerization” refers to the series of chemical reactions that bind monomers together to form polymers.

※3. Official Homepage of the 33rd Annual Association for Advancement of Industrial Crops (AAIC) Meeting

 

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■Previous News Releases

・Successful Experiment Opens the Door to Natural Rubber Bioengineering ～Synthesizing Novel Biopolymer Not Found in Nature～(June 30, 2022 News Release)

・Elucidating the Structure of Tomato Enzymes (Similar to Natural Rubber Synthases)(March 3, 2022 News Release)

・SRI Reports on the Results of Research on the Mechanisms behind the Biosynthesis of Natural Rubber in Pará Rubber Trees(October 26, 2016 News Release)