Michelin has announced the construction of an initial industrial demonstration unit for production of the 5-HMF molecule – a bio-sourced and non-toxic molecule which can be used to replace ingredients derived from fossil fuels in a wide variety of industrial fields. The demonstrator will be located in Roussillon, France, and will have an annual production capacity of 3,000 metric tons.
The molecule is already used in Michelin’s ResiCare resins, but this increased capacity will make it viable on an industrial scale, opening up a wide range of potential applications for use. 5-HMF, also known as 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural, is a platform molecule with multiple possible derivatives.
