Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Michelin Shifts Gears With Biobased Innovations

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Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Michelin to construct EUR60 mn demo plant for bio-based 5-HMF (Hydroxymethylfurfural) in France

Michelin announces the construction of an initial industrial demonstration unit for the 5-HMF molecule. This bio-sourced and non-toxic molecule can replace ingredients derived from fossil fuels in a wide variety of industrial fields. This unit, which will be located on the Osiris platform in Péage en Roussillon, France, will have an annual production capacity of 3,000 metric tons, making this site the largest production site in the world for this molecule. This project represents a total investment of EUR 60 million, partly subsidized by the ADEME in France and the CBE JU1 at European level. It will allow for the creation of approximately 30 direct jobs and should begin its activities during 2026.


A molecule with extremely promising properties:

5-HMF, also known as 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural, is a platform molecule with multiple possible derivatives. It is bio-sourced and non-toxic, allowing it to replace ingredients sourced from oil or those of concern. It is known as the “Sleeping Giant” due to its versatility and its ability to replace a wide range of conventional molecules. This molecule is obtained from fructose that has been transformed using green chemistry processes.


5-HMF will therefore be one of the rare monomers that meet the following characteristics: bio-sourced, non-toxic, available on an industrial scale in thousands of metric tons, and produced in Europe using European raw materials.

 

A potential market of over 40,000 metric tons by 2030

This project, entitled CERISEA, was developed within the framework of a partnership bringing together multiple industrial, institutional, and academic stakeholders.


Supported by the ADEME3, it forms part of the France 2030 program, which aims to support industrial innovation and the ecological transition. It also benefits from support from the CBE JU1 at European level.

The European 5-HMF market is still emerging, as the molecule is produced solely in Asia, in very small quantities, and it remains prohibitive for industrial uses.


Already used in the manufacture of non-toxic adhesive resins developed by Michelin ResiCare, this molecule allows these resins to reduce operator and consumer exposure to harmful products. The production of this initial industrial scale unit will allow for safeguarding Michelin ResiCare’s supply and for lowering costs. It also paves the way for the marketing of new materials in a variety of sectors, such as cosmetics, agriculture, industry, construction, transport, aeronautics, or electronics, as well as in many other fields of application. The projects launched demonstrate a potential market of over 40,000 metric tons by 2030.

Provision has been made for 20,000-metric ton units to be duplicated via a license system, in order to develop a production network for this bio-sourced molecule, in conjunction with the project’s industrial partners.

 

source:Michelin



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