Page 150 - CW E-Magazine (6-2-2024)

News from Abroad

RENEWABLE CHEMISTRY
Michelin, IFPEN and Axens open demo plant

for making bio-based butadiene

French tyre maker Michelin, France’s
petroleum research institute IFPEN and
technology provider Axens have in
augurated the first industrial-scale demon-
stration plant producing bio-based
butadiene in France, at Michelin’s site in
Bassens near Bordeaux.

The demo unit was built within the
framework of the ‘BioButterfly’ pro-
ject, involving the three partners, and
supported by the French Agency for
Environment and Energy Management
(ADEME) with the aim of developing
and commercialising butadiene from
ethanol derived from biomass (plants),
to replace butadiene from petrochemi- applications, textiles and in construction. thetic rubbers, this technology is a won-
cals. ‘BioButterfly’ has reached a sig- After launching in July 2023, the indus- derful opportunity to help reach the objec-
nificant step in creating a bio-based trial-scale demo unit must validate each tive of using 100% renewed or recycled
synthetic elastomer industry. stage in the manufacturing process of bio- materials in its tyres by 2050. The Group
based butadiene. In this way it is proving also wishes to assist the development of
Butadiene, a C4 diolefin, is an its technological and economic viability, a renewable butadiene production sector,
important chemical intermediate with 40% with a production capacity of between in line with Michelin’s central ambitions
being used to produce elastomers for 20-tpa and 30-tpa – a scale that will in terms of circularity and renewed or
the tyre market and the remaining 60% enable rapid industrial development. “For recycled materials,” said Mr. Eric-Philippe
being primarily used to produce varnish, Michelin, which currently uses butadiene Vinesse, EVP R&D and member of the
resin, ABS plastic, nylon for automobile from petroleum to manufacture its syn- Group’s Executive Committee.
Aramco pumps in an additional $4-bn in venture

capital arm

Aramco, the Saudi Arabian integ- the start-up ecosystem in Saudi Arabia. nologies,” a company statement said.
rated energy and chemicals giant, Aramco said the fund infusion reflects “By injecting an additional $4-bn in
has allocated an additional $4-bn to the growing significance of the venture funding over the next four years, we
its global venture capital arm, Aramco capital programme in enabling the intend to provide the financial backing
Ventures. It will more than double the development of disruptive new techno- required to take game-changing solu-
capital allotted to Aramco Ventures, logies, creating diversification opportuni- tions to the next level. This will provide
increasing its total investment allocation ties for Aramco, and paving the way for crucial impetus to businesses at var-
from $3-bn to $7-bn. collaborations with innovative start-ups. ious stages of development around
“In doing so, it aims to help advance the the world, while also contributing to
It will take Aramco’s overall venture company’s long-term strategy, which Aramco’s own long-term objectives,”
capital allocation to $7.5-bn, which also includes a focus on new energies, chemi- said Mr. Ahmad Al-Khowaiter, Aramco’s
includes the $500-mn venture capital cals and transition materials, diversified Executive Vice President of Techno-
fund, Wa’ed Ventures, that focuses on industrial businesses, and digital tech- logy & Innovation.

150 Chemical Weekly February 6, 2024

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