Zeon, Visolis progress bio-isoprene project with binding agreement

Tokyo – Zeon Corp. and US-based Visolis Inc. have signed a binding term sheet to advance plans to commercialise bio-based isoprene monomer and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

The move marks a step toward a final investment decision (FID) on a production facility, said Zeon in a 16 Feb statement.

The agreement follows what the companies described as “steady progress” since signing a memorandum of understanding in March 2024 and announcing a joint feasibility study in April 2025. (ERJ report)

Zeon said the latest deal represents a “major milestone in transition from technology verification to the preparatory phase for implementation ahead of commercialisation."

Under the binding term sheet, the partners reached basic agreement on key items required for FID.

These include business structure, roles and responsibilities, technology and development policies, detailed engineering of the production facility, assessment of candidate sites, supplier engagement, regulatory approvals and the financing process.

Once constructed, the facility will produce, at commercial scale, biomass-based isoprene monomers and SAF using Visolis’ proprietary technology.

Bio-based isoprene monomer is a key raw material for synthetic rubber and related products.

Zeon and Visolis said they will continue working toward the “early realisation” of commercial production and product supply to the market.

The statement did not provide a timeline for the project.