Michelin has announced the construction of an initial industrial demonstration unit for the 5-HMF molecule, a bio-based and non-toxic molecule capable of replacing fossil fuel-derived chemicals in a wide range of industrial applications.

The CERISEA2 project was created as part of a collaboration that included several academic, institutional and industrial interested parties. With partial funding from the CBE JU1 at the European level and the ADEME in France, this project represents a total expenditure of EUR 60 million. About 30 direct jobs will be created by it, and operations are anticipated to start in 2026. Located on the Osiris platform in Péage en Roussillon, France, this demonstration unit will have the potential to produce 3,000 metric tonnes of this molecule annually, making it the biggest manufacturing site in the world.

5-HMF, or 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural, is a platform molecule that can have several different derivatives. Because it is non-toxic and bio-sourced, it may be used in lieu of substances that come from oil or other problematic sources. Because of its adaptability and capacity to substitute a variety of traditional molecules, it is referred to as the ‘Sleeping Giant’. This molecule is made from fructose that has undergone green chemistry transformations. As a result, 5-HMF will be among the few monomers that are bio-sourced, non-toxic, industrially accessible in thousands of metric tonnes and made in Europe using European raw materials.

This molecule is already utilised in the production of non-toxic adhesive resins created by Michelin ResiCare, which lowers the exposure of operators and consumers to hazardous materials. The manufacturing of this first industrial-scale equipment will enable cost reduction and supply protection for Michelin ResiCare. Additionally, it opens the door for novel materials to be marketed in a wide range of industries, including electronics, transportation, manufacturing, agriculture, cosmetics and aeronautics. By 2030, the projects show that there might be a market of more than 40,000 metric tonnes.

To establish a manufacturing network for this bio-sourced chemical, 20,000 metric tonnes will be replicated through a licensing system in collaboration with the project's industrial partners. These sophisticated composite materials are opening up areas with significant development potential since they were designed to assure crucial functionalities at a scale smaller than the micrometre.

After finding a source at a high cost and little volume, 5-HMF was added to the Michelin ResiCare formulas for resins meant for use other than tyres in 2016. Initially, this was done for plyboard. Following an early effort with a different partner, Michelin partnered with the IFPEN in 2021 to create a more reliable fructose manufacturing method. Through engineering research and experiments at different sizes, the project will be completed by the end of 2023. 5-HMF is included in all of the new Michelin ResiCare formulas, including those for plyboard, abrasives and moulded components, even though it isn't currently utilised in tyres.

Maude Portigliatti, Director of the Polymer Composite Solutions division at Michelin and a Member of the Group’s Executive Committee, said, “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.”

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Ecolomondo Corporation, a leading Canadian innovator in sustainable scrap tyre recycling technology, has engaged August Brown, LLC as an independent risk advisor. This appointment supports the planning stages for a new facility in Shamrock, Texas. The firm will conduct a validation of the project's business plan and risk management approach, a step taken in preparation for marketing the green bond that will finance the development.

The proposed Texas site will feature a six-reactor plant, replicating the company’s proprietary, modular Thermal Decomposition Process (TDP) technology currently operating at its Hawkesbury, Ontario, facility but with triple capacity. This expansion follows the successful commercialisation of Ecolomondo’s proprietary TDP technology. Local support has been secured through the Shamrock Economic Development Corporation, along with a 136-acre industrial site and long-term feedstock agreements intended to supply ongoing operations.

August Brown's role will begin with a comprehensive feasibility study examining business, market and financial risks. A subsequent phase will focus on engineering, technology validation and project execution risks. This independent review process aims to improve transparency and strengthen confidence among potential bondholders and project partners. The project represents the next phase in the company's growth strategy, replicating its proven modular technology on a larger scale.

Eliot Sorella, Executive Chairman, Ecolomondo, said, “Independent validation of our technology, projected operations and financial model for our planned Shamrock Facility is an essential step that resonates strongly with investors, lenders and potential joint-venture partners.”

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The Wacker Group is showcasing two new silicone-based impact modifiers, GENIOPERL W37 and GENIOPERL W38, at the JEC World composites exhibition. These additives are engineered to enhance the mechanical properties of thermosetting resins such as epoxies and vinyl esters. Their specialised molecular structure, built on functional silicone, facilitates a distinct phase separation within the resin matrix. This process creates tiny elastomeric domains that increase toughness and help prevent composite materials from fracturing under stress. Sustainability was a key consideration in their design, leading to a notably reduced cyclics content. Both modifiers disperse readily with simple mixing equipment, maintain their effectiveness even at low concentrations and do not compromise the material’s inherent strength, viscosity or thermal resistance. The company is located at booth 5N142 at JEC World, taking place in Paris from 10 to 12 March 2026.

GENIOPERL W37 is specifically formulated to boost impact resistance in low-temperature environments. It is recommended for use at concentrations between two and eight percent by weight, a level at which it has minimal impact on the resin’s viscosity or the cured product’s glass transition temperature. Achieving optimal dispersion requires processing temperatures of at least 50 degrees Celsius. Similarly, GENIOPERL W38 also improves impact strength at very low temperatures when used within the same dosage range. It offers the added benefit of containing anti-foaming agents, making it particularly suitable for casting processes conducted under reduced pressure.

A third major highlight at the Wacker booth will be POWERSIL Resin 710, a silicone compound developed for components that must endure extreme heat. This material can be processed using compression moulding, pressure gelation or injection moulding. Parts manufactured from it meet the criteria for thermal class R, signifying their ability to withstand prolonged exposure to temperatures reaching 220 degrees Celsius. As an alternative to high-performance polymers like PTFE and PEEK, POWERSIL Resin 710 provides excellent electrical insulation, mechanical strength and UV stability. It is solvent-free, has a low viscosity for easier processing and is available in both peroxide-curing and catalyst-curing versions.

Wacker’s exhibition will also feature a range of other specialised products for the composites industry. These include SILRES silicone resins for enhancing electrical insulation and flame retardancy, HDK pyrogenic silica for precise rheology control, VINNAPAS low-profile additives to reduce shrinkage and GENIOSIL organofunctional silanes for promoting adhesion and treating fillers and fibres.

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Sri Trang Agro-Industry Public Company Limited (STA) has formally committed to the Science Based Target Initiative for Industrial Greenhouse Gas Reduction towards Net Zero (Phase 3), organised by Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (TGO) in collaboration with the Center of Excellence in Eco-Energy, Faculty of Engineering, Thammasat University. This declaration positions the company among 16 leading Thai organisations committed to embedding scientifically validated climate targets throughout their operations and supply networks.

STA has established a target to cut Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 23 percent by 2030, using 2024 as its reference point, with the ultimate ambition of reaching net zero by 2050. These goals directly support the international objective of capping global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius. Beyond direct emissions, the company is enhancing its rubber and teak plantations to function as carbon sinks, generating certified credits while supplying raw materials. This strategy aligns with its net zero pathway and responds to the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, which promotes heightened corporate environmental accountability.

By embracing this initiative, STA underscores its vision of evolving into a low-carbon, fully integrated natural rubber enterprise. The company aims to reconcile commercial growth with ecological and social stewardship, thereby aiding Thailand’s wider shift towards a sustainable, low-carbon future.

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Solvay has entered into an official partnership with the Belgian Rugby Federation, marking the beginning of a collaboration founded on mutual principles and a unified goal: uniting communities and fostering human development. This alliance naturally extends from the company's enduring philosophy, established over 160 years ago by its founder Ernest Solvay. His humanistic ideals, emphasising education, inclusivity and communal strength as the foundations of progress, continue to drive the organisation's sustainability framework and its commitment to making a worldwide positive impact.

The sport of rugby embodies these same values through its inherent focus on trust, collective effort and perseverance. These attributes empower individuals while simultaneously forging a stronger, unified entity. Through this new role, Solvay will provide backing to the men's national teams, including the Rugby 7s side, the under-20 squads and the refereeing community. This support is designed to enhance accessibility and growth opportunities within the sport for young athletes and local clubs.

Beyond the field, this initiative will allow international Solvay teams to unite around key matches, reinforcing bonds with local stakeholders and cultivating a collective sense of mission. This partnership reinforces a conviction held since the company's inception: that human advancement is a shared endeavour, gaining true strength and momentum when people come together.

Philippe Kehren, CEO, Solvay, said, “Rugby expresses a belief that Solvay holds deeply: people go further when they move forward together, the only ‘en avant’ that is allowed. This partnership celebrates Solvay’s heritage while opening new possibilities for connection – bringing colleagues and communities together around the world, especially when the national team competes abroad.”

Michiel Leysen, President, Belgian Rugby Federation, said, “The Belgian Rugby Federation is honoured to welcome Solvay as its official partner. This partnership will help expand the reach of rugby and inspire new generations of players.”

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