CERISEA

Competitive production of HMF and derivatives for an Eco-designed and Resilient Industry towards Sustainable European Autonomy

Project details

Type of project
Innovation Action – Flagship
Project focus
Bio-based chemicals
Feedstock origin
Agri-food waste
Other and new
Feedstock type
Food industry sidestreams
Pure sugars
Project period
1 April 2025 - 31 March 2029
Status
In progress
CBE JU Contribution
€ 19 999 795,42
Call identifier
HORIZON-JU-CBE-2024

Summary

In pursuit of sustainable solutions that prioritise both human health and environmental responsibility, the CERISEA flagship project aims to produce 5-HMF, a key bio-based chemical platform on an industrial scale for the first time. Derived from fructose and advanced fructose from non-food sidestreams, 5-HMF has the potential to replace various conventional petrochemical building blocks. It provides versatile applications across biopolymers, crop science, functionalised resins, and plasticisers, offering a sustainable alternative to harmful petrochemical derivatives.

CERISEA tackles the challenges of scaling up HMF production, such as waste disposal and stability issues, by developing a cost-effective and sustainable process. This will enable large-scale HMF production while improving resource efficiency and reducing waste. Through synergies with other initiatives, such as PEFerence – another CBE JU-funded flagship project - CERISEA aims to strengthen Europe’s resilience against supply chain disruptions and reduce dependency on fossil resources and imports. 

  • Build and operate the first large-scale HMF production plant (3,000 tonnes/year), optimising efficiency, energy use and waste reduction.
  • Secure long-term fructose supply and develop advanced fructose from non-food sidestreams.
  • Convert HMF into bio-based materials including resins, plastics, and crop science products.
  • Reuse humins for industry to cut costs and reduce emissions.
  • Guarantee safety, health, and environmental compliance, securing regulatory approval for HMF and its derivatives.
  • Demonstrate the techno-economic, environmental, and social sustainability of the entire value chain.
  • Ensure social acceptance and market uptake of CERISEA’s HMF and bio-based products.
  • Prepare for expansion by developing a licensing model for new HMF plants across Europe by 2030. 

  • Reduce CO₂ emissions by over 10,000 tonnes per year, offering HMF at competitive prices (<€10/kg).
  • Establish two new fructose production plants and two new plants for producing derivatives or end products.
  • Create approximately 300 new job opportunities.
  • Advance regulatory approvals for formaldehyde use.
  • Contribute to a safer environment by introducing non-toxic products. 

Consortium map

Project coordination

  • MICHELIN ENGINEERED POLYMERS CLERMONT-FERRAND, France

Consortium

  • Kraton Chemical B.V. Almere, Netherlands
  • INSTITUTO TECNOLOGICO DEL EMBALAJE, TRANSPORTE Y LOGISTICA Paterna, Spain
  • AVANTIUM RENEWABLE POLYMERS BV Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • ECOLE SUPERIEURE DE CHIMIE ORGANIQUE ET MINERALE COMPIEGNE, France
  • UNIVERSITE DE TECHNOLOGIE DE COMPIEGNE Compiegne Cedex, France
  • BIOECONOMY FOR CHANGE Barenton Bugny, France
  • AVANTIUM SUPPORT BV Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • IFEU - INSTITUT FUR ENERGIE- UND UMWELTFORSCHUNG HEIDELBERG GGMBH Heidelberg, Germany
  • UNIVERSITE DE POITIERS Poitiers Cedex, France
  • ADM BAZANCOURT Bazancourt, France
  • ARKEMA FRANCE SA Colombes, France
  • ENERGIEINSTITUT AN DER JOHANNES KEPLER UNIVERSITAT LINZ VEREIN Linz, Austria
  • IFP Energies nouvelles Rueil Malmaison, France
  • ADM Hamburg Aktiengesellschaft Hamburg, Germany
  • CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS Paris, France