27. May 2025
Michelin announced construction of industrial demonstrator for HMF
Michelin (Clermont-Ferrand, France) announced the construction of an initial industrial demonstration unit for the 5-HMF molecule.
Michelin (Clermont-Ferrand, France) announced the construction of an initial industrial demonstration unit for the 5-HMF molecule.
This biobased 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 tonnes, 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 JU 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 biobased 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: biobased, non-toxic, available on an industrial scale in thousands of tonnes, and produced in Europe using European raw materials.
A potential market of over 40,000 tonnes 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 ADEME, 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 JU 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 tonnes by 2030.
Provision has been made for 20,000-tonne units to be duplicated via a license system, in order to develop a production network for this biobased molecule, in conjunction with the project’s industrial partners.
Composite solutions that create value
This ambitious project, a global first, is an additional illustration of the Group’s cutting-edge skill in terms of its ability to introduce breakthrough innovations in composite solutions.
Formulated at a scale smaller than the micrometre, and developed to ensure critical functions, these technical composite materials are openings onto markets with a high potential for growth.
“The launch of this initial unit in France, to produce a bio-sourced molecule essential for green chemistry, is a major milestone for taking Resicare’s activities to an industrial scale. Created at Michelin in 2016, this start-up at the cutting edge of innovation will be able to speed up the development of its high-performance and non-toxic resin offers for manufacturers. This new demonstration of the Group’s innovative power, the fruit of years of joint research with our partners, also heralds the creation of a new European industry”, stated Maude Portigliatti, Director of the Polymer Composite Solutions division at Michelin and a Member of the Group’s Executive Committee. AT
www.michelin.com/