Michelin ResiCare Reaches a new milestone in the industrialization of its innovative bio-based resins with the establishment of a first Industrial production line for Its DragonFly project in Nesle
Michelin ResiCare is taking a new step forward in the industrialization of its bio-based resins by announcing the installation of a first industrial production line for its DragonFly project at Ajinomoto’s industrial site in Nesle (Somme, France).
Following Cerisea, which aims to establish Europe’s first 5-HMF production value chain, the DragonFly project will secure a second strategic pillar essential to the production and industrialization of bio-based molecules. DragonFly’s objective is to industrialize the fermentation-based production of a bio-based aromatic monomer, intended for use in the resins developed by Michelin ResiCare.
The partnership between Michelin ResiCare and Ajinomoto, signed last April, marks the operational launch of this new phase of the project. Construction began in may 2026 at the Nesle site, with a key milestone ahead: the commissioning of the industrial production line, scheduled for the beginning of the second quarter of 2027. This facility will validate the technology under real-world operating conditions.
A major industrial breakthrough for bio-based chemistry
Thanks to the technology developed through the DragonFly project, France will, for the first time, have a competitive industrial value chain unique in the world and capable of producing this strategic molecule from bio-based feedstocks, rather than petrochemical sources.
The fermentation process relies on a microorganism strain developed in collaboration with Alderys (a Givaudan Group company), one of the project's key technological building blocks. Its performance was validated at industrial scale through a previous initiative, BioImpulse.
Work carried out to date indicates the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production of this molecule by up to 96% compared with its fossil-based equivalent.
These bio-based resins will serve a wide range of applications, including construction and furniture, composites, electronics, automotive and transportation, aerospace, and space industries.
The selection of Ajinomoto’s site in Nesle is based both on the opportunity to leverage existing industrial infrastructure and on Ajinomoto’s recognized expertise in developing and operating industrial fermentation processes to produce high-value-added molecules.
A key step toward safer and more sustainable chemistry
DragonFly is a key enabler for the industrialization of the solutions developed by Michelin ResiCare. Combined with the CERISEA project dedicated to bio-based 5-HMF, it helps secure the supply of two strategic monomers used in the company’s next-generation resins, while strengthening European industrial sovereignty over critical raw materials.
About Michelin
Michelin is building a world-leading manufacturer of life-changing composites and experiences. A pioneer in materials science for more than 130 years. Michelin draws on unique expertise to make a significant contribution to human progress and a more sustainable world. Through its unrivalled mastery of polymer composites, Michelin constantly innovates to manufacture high-quality tyres and critical components for demanding sectors including mobility, construction, aeronautics. low-carbon energies and healthcare. Its attention to product quality and deep understanding of uses enable Michelin to provide customers with exceptional experiences, from data- and artificial intelligence-based solutions for professional fleets to discovering outstanding restaurants and hotels recommended by the MICHELIN Guide. Headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand, France, Michelin operates in 175 countries and employs 122, 600 people.
About Ajinomoto
Ajinomoto Foods Europe (AFE) is a leading player in the bioproduction of ingredients through fermentation and in solutions for the food industry. Since 2022, the company has been offering large-scale industrial fermentation services (>100 m³), supported by recognized expertise in precision fermentation and purification processes. AFE supports its partners in the industrialization and production of molecules for a wide range of applications, including food, cosmetics, specialty chemicals, agriculture, and biomaterials.
DragonFly is a project funded by the French Government as part of the France 2030 investment plan, managed by ADEME (the French Agency for Ecological Transition).
BioImpulse is a project that was funded by the French Government under the Investments for the Future Programme (Programme d’Investissements d’Avenir), managed by ADEME (the French Agency for Ecological Transition).
Cerisea is a project funded by the French Government as part of the France 2030 investment plan, managed by ADEME (the French Agency for Ecological Transition), and supported by the Circular Bio-based Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) and its members.
Press contact Michelin :
Hervé Erschler - herve.erschler@michelin.com – 06.70.47.85.04