Michelin opens demo bio-butadiene production facility

Clermont-Ferrand, France – Michelin has announced the opening of the 'first industrial-scale’ demonstration plant for the production of butadiene derived from bioethanol.

A joint project with French institute IFP Energies Nouvelles (IFPEN) and clean-fuel company Axens, the unit produces bio-based butadiene at Michelin’s site in Bassens near Bordeaux, France.

The demo facility was built within the framework of the BioButterfly project, which aims to develop and commercialise the production of butadiene from plant-derived feedstock.

The opening follows more than 10 years of R&D work among the partners, Michelin noting that BioButterfly has so far involved a total investment of more than €80 million.

With the inauguration, BioButterfly has taken “a significant step towards creating a bio-based synthetic elastomer industry,” said Michelin's 19 Jan announcement.

According to the French group, the project partners will next “validate each stage in the manufacturing process of bio-based butadiene.”

The process will prove the plant’s “technological and economic viability”, with a production capacity of between 20 and 30 tonnes per year.

Axens, continued Michelin, aims to commercialise the process technology for the industrial-scale production of bio-based synthetic rubbers.

According to Michelin, 40% of global butadiene consumption goes towards the production of tires, with the remaining 60% used in the manufacture of coatings, plastics, textiles and construction materials.

In addition to rubber, these applications will offer additional potential markets for bio-based butadiene, Michelin noted.

BioButterfly offers a “wonderful opportunity” to support the objective of using 100% renewed or recycled materials in Michelin tires by 2050, said Eric-Philippe Vinesse, the group's executive vice president R&D.