Michelin, IFPEN and Axens Announce Successful Progress in Biobutterfly™ R&D Project to Produce Biobased Butadiene From Bioethanol

Wedoany.com Report-Dec.12, Michelin, IFPEN and Axens have announced major progress in the BioButterfly™ project, which produces bio-based butadiene from bioethanol. The industrial-scale demonstrator in Bassens, France, launched in July 2023, has successfully validated the process using both first-generation and second-generation bioethanol.

Key achievements include:

- Production of 100% bio-sourced butadiene with a significantly reduced carbon footprint compared with conventional fossil-based routes.

- Successful conversion of the bio-based butadiene into butadiene rubber (BR) and styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) in a polymerization unit, meeting strict polymer-grade specifications required for high-performance applications, especially tires.

The demonstration plant has confirmed process robustness and flexibility across different bioethanol feedstocks, de-risking future commercial-scale deployment.

The R&D phase remains on schedule for completion in the coming months, with formal technology homologation targeted for mid-2026. This will enable global licensing and commercialization of the BioButterfly™, currently the most advanced bio-based butadiene technology available.

Supported by ADEME, Région Nouvelle Aquitaine and Bordeaux Metropole, the project brings together Michelin’s tire-industry expertise, IFPEN’s research capabilities and Axens’ process-licensing experience. The partners aim to establish a sustainable, fully bio-sourced supply chain for synthetic elastomers, supporting the transition to renewable materials in the rubber and tire sectors.