Michelin ResiCare to Produce a Bio-Based Monomer through Fermentation in the Somme
Michelin ResiCare announced on October 7, 2026 the installation, on the industrial site of Ajinomoto in the Somme, of a first production line designed to produce through fermentation an aromatic monomer previously sourced solely from petrochemistry. The facility is scheduled to commence operations in early second quarter 2027.
The DragonFly project aims to industrialize the production through fermentation of a bio-based aromatic monomer, intended for the manufacture of resins developed by Michelin ResiCare. It succeeds the Cerisea project, which seeks to establish the first European production chain for 5-HMF, and constitutes the "second strategic pillar," according to the company statement.
Together, the two projects are intended to contribute to securing the supply of two monomers entering into the composition of the company's next-generation resins, while strengthening, according to the group, the "European industrial sovereignty" on key raw materials. Based on current research, the process presents a reduction potential reaching 96% of greenhouse gas emissions linked to the production of the molecule, compared to its petroleum-based equivalent.
The targeted resins are intended for construction and furniture, composites, electronics, automotive and transportation, aeronautics as well as space.
A Partnership with Ajinomoto and a Strain from Alderys
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The operational phase is based on the partnership concluded in April 2026 between Michelin ResiCare and Ajinomoto, whose work began in May at Nesle. The commissioning of the production line should make it possible to validate the technology under real operating conditions. The choice of site is based on the possibility of reusing existing industrial infrastructure and on Ajinomoto's expertise in exploiting fermentation processes.
The process uses a microorganism strain resulting from a collaboration with Alderys (a company of the Givaudan group), whose performance has been validated at industrial scale in a previous project, BioImpulse. DragonFly is funded by the government as part of the France 2030 plan operated by ADEME.
For Laurent Lemonnier, Chief Executive Officer of Michelin ResiCare, this establishment "demonstrates our capacity to transform several years of research and development into a concrete industrial project." On the Ajinomoto Foods Europe side, its Chief Executive Officer Yves Duquesnoy indicates that this partnership "strengthens our diversification strategy" in fermentation services at industrial scale.
SectorAutomobile et mobilité›Équipementiers automobiles
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Context
Period
Period: 9M 2026
Key reported figures
Revenue: 19 175 millions d'euros
Quarterly revenue: 19 175 millions d'euros
Revenue growth: -0,5 %
Guidance from the release
Michelin confirms its full-year guidance, targeting growth in segment operating income at iso-forex and iso-scope compared with 2025, and over €1.6 billion in free cash flow before M&A.
Risks mentioned
Faiblesse persistante de la Première monte, qui fait reculer les volumes pneumatiques du Groupe de 0,8 % à fin septembre, en particulier en Tourisme Camionnette en Europe et en Amérique du Nord (en Chine, les ventes du Groupe progressent sur un marché en recul de 7 %)
Concurrence des pneumatiques importés à bas prix, notamment d'Asie, qui pèse sur les marques Tier 2 en Amérique du Nord, Tier 3 dans les principales régions et sur le Poids lourd en Amérique du Sud
Faiblesse persistante des Convoyeurs, liée à la prudence des clients miniers en matière de dépenses et à la faiblesse du marché du minerai de fer, notamment en Australie
Opportunities identified
Expansion de Polymer Composite Solutions soutenue par les acquisitions de Cooley Group, Flexitallic et TexTech en 2026 (chiffre d'affaires +21,9 % publié, -2,7 % hors effet de périmètre à cause des Convoyeurs)
Activité Mines en croissance, avec des gains de parts de marché, qui compense la pression sur le Hors-la-route (segment Spécialités -0,9 % publié, +0,4 % à périmètre comparable)
Dynamique positive de la marque MICHELIN en Remplacement avec volume de +4% en fin septembre
Outlook / guidance
Management commentary: Michelin confirms its full-year guidance, targeting growth in segment operating income at iso-forex and iso-scope compared with 2025, and over €1.6 billion in free cash flow before M&A.
The information presented in this article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute an investment recommendation, an incentive to buy or sell a financial asset, or investment advice. Readers are invited to conduct their own research before making any decision.
Investments in the stock market involve risks, including the risk of capital loss. Past performance of an asset or market is no guarantee of future results. Any investment decision should be made taking into account your personal financial situation, objectives and risk tolerance.
