New Renewable Alternative to Fossil-based Adhesives & Sealants
A new manufacturing facility for the development of 5-HMF (5-Hydroxymethylfurfural), derived from sugar chemistry will be built in Europe by Kraton. The company has joined the CERISEA Project, an initiative led by Michelin and its subsidiary, to establish the manufacturing facility as a renewable alternative to fossil-based ingredients used in industries such as coatings, adhesives, and surfactants. The effort marks the first industrial-scale production of 5-HMF in Europe according to Kraton. The project’s new French facility is expected to produce 3,000 tons annually. Scheduled for completion in March 2029, the project has received $20 million in funding from the EU’s Horizon Europe Research & Innovation Program and the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking.
Kraton is among 12 entities selected to participate. The company has been awarded a share of the grant to support the project’s research and development efforts focused on commercializing 5-HMF and converting it into high-performance, sustainable materials for new applications.
Kraton is the inventor of styrenic block copolymers (SBC) and reportedly the world’s largest producer of pine chemicals; the company has a long-standing legacy of creating sustainable, high-performance products. Its portfolio features a diverse range of biobased solutions, including REvolution™ Technology, SYLVATRAXX™, and SYLVACOTE™, designed to enhance sustainability and performance across applications including adhesives and coatings.
Source: Kraton