Michelin And Axens Enter Exclusive Talks To Accelerate Deployment Of A Key Bio-Based Molecule For Green Chemistry, Developed With IFP Energies Nouvelles

• Michelin, through its ResiCare brand, and Axens are negotiating an exclusive partnership to accelerate the industrialization and rollout of 5-HMF, a strategic bio-based molecule for decarbonized chemistry, developed with IFPEN
• Axens would contribute its licensing and engineering expertise to deploy the technology globally and substitute fossil-based products with renewable alternatives
• Capacity available from early 2027, with the commissioning of a first 5-HMF production unit operated by Michelin ResiCare in Péage-de-Roussillon.

Michelin ResiCare and Axens announced they have entered exclusive discussions toward a strategic partnership around an innovative production technology for 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), a key molecule for green chemistry.

This partnership aims to accelerate the large-scale industrialization and rollout of a bio-based solution, addressing the growing decarbonization needs of the chemical and materials industries.

In practice, 5-HMF serves as a building block for producing resins, polymers, and other more sustainable materials, progressively replacing certain petroleum-derived molecules. This platform molecule — notably promising because it is bio-based, non-toxic, and versatile — enables the development of resins and adhesives, as well as bio-based polymers. One example is polyethylene furanoate (PEF), a bio-based plastic now considered one of the most credible substitutes for PET, opening major industrial prospects in food packaging, bottles, and textile fibers. 5-HMF also holds strong potential for a wide range of solvents, intermediates, and products for fine and specialty chemicals.

Thanks to its compatibility with existing industrial processes, this molecule can replace certain fossil-derived compounds, such as formaldehyde, with renewable alternatives sourced from plant material.

The result of an R&D program jointly conducted by Michelin ResiCare and IFP Energies Nouvelles (IFPEN), with support from ADEME in France and the CBE JU in Europe, this technology is now at the heart of a major industrial project. A first unit, located in Péage-de-Roussillon (France) with a capacity of about 3,000 tonnes per year, will be operated by Michelin ResiCare. It is expected to be commissioned in early 2027.

By combining Michelin’s innovation strength — through the excellence of Michelin ResiCare — with Axens’ expertise in industrialization and global deployment capacity, this collaboration aims to bring to market a solution that is high-performing, competitive, and sustainable.

“This project fully illustrates Axens’ ambition to turn breakthrough innovations into concrete industrial solutions on a global scale. By combining a technology born from leading research collaborations with IFP Energies Nouvelles with our licensing and engineering know-how, we have the opportunity to accelerate the deployment of key bio-based solutions for the transition to more sustainable chemistry,” said Jacinthe Frecon, VP Process and Equipment Innovation at Axens.

“We are convinced that 5-HMF is set to become a reference platform molecule for sustainable chemistry. Our planned partnership with Axens is a decisive lever to accelerate its global deployment and meet growing demand for high-performing bio-based solutions. This collaboration confirms the strong development potential of 5-HMF across a wide range of applications, as well as the performance of our technology developed with IFPEN. It fully reflects Michelin ResiCare’s commitment to developing innovative solutions that contribute to a safer, more sustainable world,” added Laurent Lemonnier, CEO of Michelin ResiCare.