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The first 75,000-ton PLA project in Europe has been launched and is set to be put into production in 2028!

Bioplastics Research Institute 2025-03-27 09:42:28
In 2023, the global production capacity of bio-based plastics is approximately 2.182 million tons, of which the annual production capacity of PLA is 676,400 tons, accounting for 31%.
On March 12, 2025, Futerro, a leading biomaterials company in Belgium, announced that its integrated biorefinery project in Normandy, France, which focuses on a 75,000-ton polylactic acid (PLA) production, has officially launched engineering design and front-end engineering design (FEED). This marks a significant transition from the planning phase to tangible construction. Previously, the company completed its first round of financing amounting to 12 million euros in November 2024, injecting crucial funds for the project's advancement.

Futerro, founded in 2007, is the world's second-largest producer of polylactic acid (PLA), with a business covering the entire chain of lactic acid fermentation, polymerization, and recycling. The company has established a production capacity of 100,000 tons in Bengbu, Anhui, China (Fengyuan Bio), and this European project will further consolidate its technological leadership.

From July 25 to 27, 2025, the "Third Advanced Training Course on Biodegradable Material Modification and Product Processing Technology," co-organized by Fengyuan Biotech, will be held in Bengbu, Anhui. We are currently collecting topics and instructors. For registration and inquiries, please contact Ms. Li at 180 2636 8761.

Project Progress and Strategic Layout

The biorefinery is located in Saint-Jean-de-Folleville, between Rouen and Le Havre, with a total planned investment of 500 million euros. Once completed, it will achieve an annual production capacity of 75,000 tons of PLA and integrate mechanical and chemical recycling technologies, forming the world's first closed-loop system for the entire industry chain. The engineering design phase is led by the French Ingerop Group, in collaboration with a professional team consisting of Eiffage Group and Ataub Construction Company. Construction is expected to start in 2026 and production is set to begin in 2028.

Technological Innovation and Environmental Goals

The project uses sustainable agricultural raw materials from France, and through an integrated process of fermentation, polymerization, and recycling, reduces the carbon footprint by more than 60% compared to traditional processes, fully aligning with the EU's 'Green Deal' and the requirements of the 'Clean Industrial Act'. Futerro, as the only company in the world that masters the entire PLA industry chain technology, has patented recycling technology that can convert waste plastics into high-purity raw materials, addressing the pain point of "difficult-to-recycle" biobased materials.

Capital operation and industry synergy

The first round of financing was jointly completed by existing shareholders Finasucre, Compagnie du Bois Sauvage, and new entrant packaging giant Cedap group. Djivan Djierdjian, a director at Cedap group, stated: "PLA can directly replace PS/PET/PP in the food packaging sector, and existing equipment does not need to be modified. Its biodegradable properties will effectively address the issue of microplastic pollution."
Benchmark for Industrial Transformation in Europe
The project has been designated by the European Union as a demonstration project for the transformation of the chemical industry, and once completed, it will reshape the traditional petrochemical landscape in Normandy. The French Minister of Industry pointed out, "This project will not only create 3,000 jobs but will also promote France's technological sovereignty in the field of bio-based materials." Frédéric Van Gansberghe, CEO of Futerro, emphasized, "This is a key step for Europe to break free from fossil dependence and build a circular economy."

Industry Impact and Future Outlook

Currently, the global annual production capacity of bioplastics exceeds 2.18 million tons, and PLA is experiencing an annual growth rate of 18% due to its performance and environmental advantages. Futerro plans to increase European PLA production capacity by 30% through this project, with products covering food packaging, textiles, 3D printing, and other fields. With the advancement of the EU carbon tariff and the expansion of the Chinese biobased materials market, this project is expected to become an important hub for Sino-European green industry chain cooperation.

 

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