Michelin links with plastics-waste recycling start-up

Clermont-Ferrand, France – Michelin has partnered with French startup Bobine to develop a “disruptive innovation for plastic recycling” at its sustainable materials centre in Parc Cataroux, Clermont-Ferrand.

Bobine has developed a chemical recycling technology to produce “food grade” recycled plastics from non-recoverable plastic waste, explained a 23 May Michelin release.

The technology uses “heterogeneous catalysis and electromagnetic induction" to produce large quantities of olefins from waste without using a steam cracker.

Michelin said it aims to help Bobine develop a first pilot version of its technology, which it sees as “a real opportunity to achieve the environmental objectives of France and Europe.”

The project is scheduled to launch at the Michelin site in summer, with the aim of producing first results this autumn, said Pierre Robert, director of the sustainable materials centre.

“Every week counts; the key word is speed and that’s what we bring to the start-ups we support,” commented Robert.

According to its website, Bobine is currently constructing a 100kg/day pilot plant, while another 1 tonne/day demo unit is “under engineering by 2026.”

Another goal is to start production at a large-scale 20 tonne/day unit by 2028, the company's online information also shows.

Bobine is the second start-up to join the Cataroux ecosystem: following Carbios, which launched its industrial demo plant for enzymatic recycling of PET in 2021. (ERJ report)

Michelin officially launched the Parc Cataroux sustainable material centre earlier this year as a 'unique concept project' dedicated to innovation. (ERJ report)

The center uses resources and structures adjacent to the Michelin Cataroux tire production site to offer conditions for "a successful industrial demonstrator."