Futerro to Establish Integrated PLA Biorefinery in Normandy, France
- The biorefinery will have an annual production capacity of 75,000 tons of PLA.
- The project is expected to create 250 direct jobs and 900 in adjacent sectors.
- The site selection was influenced by factors like low-carbon energy and logistical access.
- The project aligns with the European Green Deal and aims to decarbonize the region.
Project Overview
Futerro plans to establish Europe's first vertically integrated biorefinery in Port-Jérôme, Normandy, to produce and recycle PLA (poly-lactic acid). This follows their first PLA plant in China, built in 2021.
Production Capacity and Job Creation
The new biorefinery will have an annual production capacity of 75,000 tons and is expected to create 250 direct jobs and 900 jobs in adjacent sectors. The facility will include units for lactic acid production, PLA conversion, and molecular recycling of PLA.
Site Selection Factors
The selection of the Port-Jérôme site was influenced by several factors: availability of a large industrial site with expansion potential, access to low-carbon energy, presence of agricultural raw materials, and strong local support for sustainable industrial projects. Additionally, the site offers logistical advantages due to its proximity to the Radicatel terminal and the port of Le Havre, as well as a skilled workforce in the chemical and polymer sectors.
Environmental and Economic Impact
The project aligns with the European Green Deal, the circular economy, and the decarbonization strategies of the French government and the European Union. It aims to transform the Normandy basin, traditionally focused on petrochemicals, into a leader in green chemistry, facilitating the transition from fossil carbon to biomass-derived carbon.
Next Steps
Futerro has secured a 26.5-hectare plot in Saint-Jean-de-Folleville and has begun ecological and environmental assessments. A preliminary consultation for the project is scheduled for 2023.