Engineering First Industrial-Scale Plant Demonstrator Producing Butadiene from Bioethanol Inaugurated

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Axens

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Michelin, Ifpen and Axens have recently inaugurated what it claims to be the first industrial-scale demonstrator of a plant producing bio-based butadiene from bioethanol. The demonstrator is built at Michelin’s site in Bassens near Bordeaux in France.

Rueil-Malmaison/France – Michelin, Ifpen and Axens inaugurated the first industrial-scale demonstrator of a plant producing bio-based butadiene in France, at Michelin’s site in Bassens near Bordeaux. The demonstrator was built within the framework of the Biobutterfly project, involving the three partners, and supported by Ademe (French Agency for Environment and Energy Management) with the aim of developing and commercializing butadiene from ethanol derived from biomass (plants), to replace butadiene from petrochemicals. Biobutterfly has reached a significant step in creating a bio-based synthetic elastomer industry.

Butadiene, a C4 diolefin, is an important chemical intermediate in the production of numerous polymers used for many applications: 40 % of butadiene is used to produce elastomers for the tire market. The other 60 % is primarily used to produce varnish, resin, ABS plastic, nylon for automobile applications, textiles and in construction. These applications offer additional potential markets for bio-based butadiene.

After launching in July 2023, the industrial-scale demonstrator must validate each stage in the manufacturing process of bio-based butadiene. In this way it is proving its technological and economic viability, with a production capacity of between 20 and 30 metric tons per year – a scale which will enable rapid industrial development.

This demonstration stage is providing a pathway to global commercialization of this new process – which will enable the production of innovative synthetic rubbers, without fossil-based resources – and the development of a new bio-based butadiene sector. Axens’ commercialization of this technology will be a crucial step in ensuring significant volumes of renewable butadiene.

The inauguration of this demonstrator illustrates the willingness of the 3 partners to foster the development of a French bio-based synthetic elastomer sector, to support a more sustainable industry.

"For Michelin, which currently uses butadiene from petroleum to manufacture its synthetic rubbers, this technology is a wonderful opportunity to help reach the objective of using 100 % renewed or recycled materials in its tires by 2050. The Group also wishes to assist the development of a renewable butadiene production sector, in line with Michelin’s central ambitions in terms of circularity and renewed or recycled materials," shares Eric-Philippe Vinesse, EVP Research & Development and member of the Group’s Executive Committee

"The demonstrator marks an important milestone in the industrialization of the production process of bio-based butadiene after more than 10 years of research and innovation conducted with our partners. Our commitment to Biobutterfly exemplifies our willingness to meet the expectations of manufacturers and of society in the field of bio-based chemistry," explains Catherine Rivière, Assistant General Manager at IFP Energies Nouvelles

"With this partnership and demonstrator, Axens is illustrating its commitment to manufacturers seeking bio-based solutions. Thanks to the talent, the expertise of our team and our partners, the use of bio-based butadiene will become a reality for many industrial players looking for renewable materials. Along with recycling, it is one of the major future challenges which we are pleased to contribute to by disseminating and integrating innovative and reliable technological solutions such as Biobutterfly," mentions Jean Sentenac, CEO of Axens.

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