Global Bioenergies is a pioneer in the field of direct fermentation to light olefins such as isobutene, butadiene and propylene. Direct fermentation is an approach wherein all transformation steps from feedstock to product are performed within a microorganism, in contrast with hemi- synthesis, a combination of fermentation and chemical conversion.

This approach has already been recognized by several industry leaders, and the company considers strengthening and broadening its Intellectual Property (IP) position as a strategic issue, to maintain and reinforce its leadership in the field.

Global Bioenergies’ IP portfolio, combining proprietary patents and patents exploited under exclusive rights, includes 32 patent families. The relevance of this portfolio has been confirmed by the granting of several patents in 2016, with a total of 38 issued patents today in several countries.

This portfolio covers, among others, key aspects of bio-isobutene production through different possible routes involving enzymes such as mevalonate diphosphate decarboxylase. In addition, Global Bioenergies recently enriched its IP portfolio by exclusively in-licensing a patent family covering the production of several light olefins using alternative enzymes named Ferulic acid decarboxylases (FDC) or Phenylacrylic Acid decarboxylase (PAD).

While we continue to file patents on our own, we are also progressively moving to a more open approach, in which we define ourselves as a technology integrator. We believe that we have today a strong hold on all the industrially relevant routes for the direct fermentative production of isobutene, from all possible kinds of feedstocks, including first and second generation sugars as well as syngas or carbon dioxide.

—Frederic Pâques, COO of Global Bioenergies