MICHELIN ResiCare Partners with IMCD Europe to Boost European Market for Bio-Sourced Molecule 5-HMF

MICHELIN ResiCare has announced a strategic partnership with IMCD Europe to distribute 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), a bio-sourced molecule produced at its industrial site in France. The partnership aims to increase the availability of 5-HMF in Europe, with IMCD providing technical expertise, market knowledge, and a distribution network covering the entire continent. The molecule, produced from fructose using green chemistry processes, is intended to replace fossil-based intermediates in various applications, including bio-sourced thermosetting resins, intermediates for oil-sourced aldehydes, and specialty additives. The production unit is scheduled to start in 2027, with an annual capacity of 3,000 metric tons. This partnership is part of MICHELIN ResiCare’s sustainable innovation strategy, which focuses on developing solutions from renewable resources and reducing the environmental footprint of manufacturing industries.