Michelin/Axens tie up to commercialise biobased 5-HMF

Michelin ResiCare, part of Michelin Group, and Axens, a clean energy firm part of IFP Group, 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 industrialisation and rollout of a bio-based solution, addressing the growing decarbonisation 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 fibres. 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/year, will be operated by Michelin ResiCare. It is expected to be commissioned in early 2027.

By combining Michelin’s innovation strength with Axens’ expertise in industrialisation and global deployment capacity, this collaboration aims to bring to market the sustainable solution.

“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.