IFP Energies Nouvelles (IFPEN) and ResiCare, a Michelin Group operation, have co-developed a process for producing the platform molecule 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) from plant-based fructose using homogeneous catalysis. This follows ten years of laboratory research and joint industrial-scale work since the end of 2021.

Agrifood giant Cargill is joining forces with two French companies to further develop and scale biobased acrylic acid based on a lactic acid technology it licensed in from Procter & Gamble earlier this year. This is claimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in production by 50% compared with conventional means of production.