A global first: Michelin announces the construction of an industrial demonstrator in France for the 5-HMF molecule, an essential component of green chemistry. Investments of EUR 60 million to develop a bio-sourced and non-toxic molecule that can replace ingredients derived from fossil fuels in a wide variety of industrial fields. Already used in the Michelin ResiCare resins, its availability on an industrial scale will allow a potential market of over 40,000 metric tons to open by 2030, through the creation of a European industry. A new demonstration of Michelin’s power to innovate and its ability to develop other ultra-innovative applications beyond the tire.

Araminolic resins are polymers synthesized from polyphenols and aromatic aldehydes. Polyphenols are often naturally occurring molecules and are well known for their antioxidant properties. Among these, flavonoids or tannins, which can be found in fruit or wood, constitute monomer bases that are mostly non-toxic and derived from renewable resources. Certain aromatic aldehydes also exist in their natural state, such as 5HMF, which is derived from the dehydration of fructose, found in fruits. The chemistry of araminolic resins relies on the reactivity of these polyphenols and aromatic aldehydes to form distinctive and non-toxic polymers.

Attend Araminolic Resins Launch Event: a unique event introducing araminolic chemistry, a MICHELIN ResiCare innovation. Join us on December 12, 2024 at Maison de la Chimie in Paris!

ResiCare, a subsidiary of the Michelin Group, and IFPEN announced last November the development of a bio-based production process for the platform molecule 5-HMF. Non-toxic* and produced from plant-based fructose, this molecule offers industries a substitute for fossil-based products. The samples of the 5-HMF molecule produced by ResiCare are now available for industrial testing.

As part of a collaboration initiated at the end of 2021, IFP Energies nouvelles (IFPEN) and ResiCare, a Michelin Group entity, announce that they have co-developed a process for as part of a collaboration initiated at the end of 2021, IFP Energies nouvelles (IFPEN) and ResiCare, a Michelin Group entity, announce that they have co-developed a process for