Biobased polymers have gained much attention lately due to improved fermentation capabilities as well as public demand. The technical properties of these polymers such as poly-hydroxyalkonaote, as well as polylactide do not fulfill all demands in polymer applications. The economical impact of these biobased polymers therefore is limited. The development of biobased polymers with a high technical profile represents a new chance for fermentation based production of materials.
Polyamides are important performance polymers with high temperature resistance and excellent mechanical performance as well as broad market acceptance.
The power of microorganisms to produce intermediates with high efficiency and space-time-yield has been used in engineering the synthesis of 1,5-diaminopentane in Corynebacterium glutamicum. The lysine-synthesis capability of engineered strains have been combined with the introduction of a a heterologous pathway leading to the diamine 1,5-diaminopentane. In addition regulating side pathways by strain engineering as well as streamlined central metabolism added to improved overall strain performance. The final polymerization product, the fully biobased polyamide 5.10, has excellent technical characteristics as well as properties unknown to petrochem  based polyamides.