In pursuit of offering solutions that are respectful of both human health and the environment, and supporting the resilience of European economy, Michelin Engineered Polymers and its partners join their forces to launch the CERISEA Flagship, aiming to produce for the very first time on industrial large scale, the highly important bio-based chemical platform: 5-HMF (5-Hydroxymethylfurfural), from fructose and advanced fructose from non-food side streams. HMF is a key intermediate between biomass and biochemicals and is known as the “Sleeping Giant”, due to its versatility and ability to replace a broad range of conventionally produced building blocks. However, today, there are no large scale industrial and profitable processes to produce HMF. CERISEA aims to be the first to awaken the Sleeping Giant. The project will demonstrate the broad range of bio-based sustainable applications for HMF including araminolic resins, crop science, functionalised bio-polymers (modified starch), functionalised compounds, polyesters, polyamides, polyurethanes and plasticizers. CERISEA bio-based products will meet market and technical performance requirements, facilitating the adoption of these solutions in the market. The project will be fully circular, with the valorisation of by-products called humins in 2 applications (araminolic resins and crop science). Also, the integration of HMF and humins (produced using a Process using fructose coming from wheat crops) in crop science and more specifically in biostimulants that will be tested on grains, including wheat, will demonstrate the creation of a truly circular system “from grain to grain”. The consortium includes 15 partners, of which 9 members of the Bio-based Industry Consortium (BIC) and 5 brand owners. It covers the entire value chain, from feedstock supply up to the end-users who have provide Letters of Intent. CERISEA will also implement synergies with the CBE Flagship PEFerence which is producing FDCA from a blend made of HMF.

The construction sector is the second largest industrial ecosystem in the EU in economic terms, generating 11,5% of the EU Gross Value Added in 2023. However, while creating economic value, the highly polluting materials derived from petroleum also contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for up to 37% of global operational energy and process-related CO2 emissions. This represents a serious challenge and calls for an urgent transition towards a circular economy. Despite a change taking place in the consumption and production of materials, the sector is facing limits in terms of price, efficiency of materials and social acceptability. The HIBISCUS project aims to revolutionize the building envelope sector by replacing fossil based materials with innovative bio-based alternatives to enhance sustainability, economic viability, and regulatory compliance while reducing the industry's carbon footprint. Coordinated by SOPREMA and 11 partners across Europe, the project uses a thorough methodology to provide new biobased materials for the building envelope thanks to the conversion of several feedstock sources. Partners will demonstrate at pilot scale the feasibility of scaling-up biobased materials while meeting the market standards and the industry’s needs. The project expects to create five bio-based construction materials - (2) waterproofing, (2) insulation and (1) carpentry solutions - with an average of 80% bio-based components and a 25% improved environmental profile. Within five years post-project, HIBISCUS aims to ensure that all materials meet CE-marking standards and attain a 10% market share for bio-based materials. Ultimately, HIBISCUS seeks to consolidate the EU position at the forefront of sustainable construction practices, promoting circular economy principles and supporting more resilient buildings through interdisciplinary research and collaboration.