Michelin, IFPEN, and Axens have announced significant progress in the BioButterfly™ project, supported by ADEME, Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine, and Bordeaux Métropole. The initiative aims to produce bio-based butadiene from bioethanol. Since the launch of the first industrial-scale demonstrator in July 2023, the project has reached several key milestones, reinforcing the potential of this innovative technology.
The BioButterfly™ demonstrator plant has successfully processed both conventional bioethanol and advanced (second-generation) bioethanol to produce bio-based butadiene, ensuring a fully bio-sourced origin. Testing confirmed the performance of both feedstocks, demonstrating the process’s flexibility and adaptability to different types of bioethanol.
In a major step forward, the butadiene produced at the demonstration plant has been used to synthesize butadiene rubber (BR) and styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) in a polymerization unit. The successful polymerization validates the application of bio-based butadiene in synthetic rubber production.
The resulting butadiene has met strict polymer-grade specifications, confirming its suitability for high-quality rubber manufacturing. This milestone underscores the promise of bio-based butadiene as a sustainable alternative to fossil-derived production, offering a reduced carbon footprint.
The project’s R&D phase is on track to deliver one of the most advanced technologies in the market, using the demonstration plant to de-risk scale-up and provide operational insights to future plant operators. The partners aim to achieve technology homologation by mid-2026, paving the way for commercialization.
The progress of BioButterfly™ highlights Michelin, IFPEN, and Axens’ commitment to advancing a sustainable, bio-based synthetic elastomer industry. The partners remain focused on bringing this groundbreaking technology to market, supporting the global transition toward renewable resources.
Jacinthe Frécon, VP of Process and Equipment Innovation at Axens, said:
“As we continue to advance the BioButterfly™ project, we are proud to see our collaboration with Michelin and IFPEN yield tangible results. The successful demonstration of our technology marks a pivotal moment in sustainable, bio-based butadiene production. The insights gained will help reduce risks and improve efficiency for future customers.”
Cyril Dupuch, Vice President of Materials Research & Development at Michelin, commented:
“At Michelin, innovation is a collective journey. Many of the new materials we need for tires either do not exist or are not yet available at industrial scale. BioButterfly™ shows how partnerships can turn bold ideas into renewable materials for the future.”
Noëmie Dos Santos-Tabbakh, Head of Strategic Bio-based Chemistry R&D at IFPEN, added:
“IFPEN is proud to play a key role in BioButterfly™, alongside Axens and Michelin. Leveraging expertise in green chemistry, this collaboration is focused on creating value through sustainable, bio-based butadiene. As we move toward industrial-scale innovation, BioButterfly™ demonstrates the power of partnerships in turning ambitious ideas into renewable solutions, paving the way for a more sustainable chemical and rubber industry.”
