Futerro launches engineering for its future European biorefinery in Saint-Jean-de-Folleville, France

Futerro, Belgian company specialised in the production of lactic acid, lactide (two platform molecules) and PLA (polylactic acid), has launched the engineering and the Front End Engineering Design (FEED) – called “Avant-Projet Détaillé” in French – for its future European biorefinery to be located at Saint-Jean-de-Folleville between Rouen and Le Havre (76).

The company has called upon the French technical expertise of the Ingerop Group to finalise the environmental and construction authorisations, which should be submitted to the French government within the next few months.

Through combining various technologies (fermentation, polymerisation and recycling), Futerro aims to develop a green chemistry and a renewable polymers sector, reducing the carbon footprint of French industry with an objective not just of decarbonisation, but also of defossilation.

“This project embodies great ambitions, which are now also reflected in the commitment of our partners: that of helping to reinvent the green chemistry sector in Europe, that of participating in the ecological transition of the industry and that of maintaining a strong and resilient industrial sector. We are delighted to be collaborating with Eiffage, Ingerop and Ataub on this project and are convinced that our shared expertise will make for a rewarding and fruitful collaboration, while ensuring that we deliver on schedule.” declares Frédéric Van Gansberghe, Chairman, CEO and founder of Futerro.

Towards completion: a key step for the biorefinery

The project has been launched: it is no longer a question of ambition, but of actual future implementation of Europe's first integrated biorefinery, located in the Port-Jérôme industrial and port zone in Saint-Jean-de-Folleville, along the Seine between Rouen and Le Havre. This green chemistry cluster will include a lactic acid production unit transforming French and sustainable agricultural raw materials, a lactide and PLA conversion unit, and a PLA chemical and mechanical recycling unit.

The commencement of engineering works began on January 2025, and represents a crucial phase in the project's progress. This will enable Futerro to define the foundations of its biorefinery and confirm its technical and industrial choices. In parallel, the company will establish detailed cost estimates prior to the official start of construction, the first stone of which will be laid in 2026 and production starting in 2028.

A synergy of expertise for an unprecedented and innovative industrial project

A three-phase cluster led by Ingerop for the construction studies, comprises of Eiffage and Ataub. Ingerop is involved in design studies for the entire structure, excluding the manufacturing processes, which will remain under Futerro's charge.

The expertise of each partner, combined with the experience and technical knowledge of Futerro's teams, will enable the project to be completed on schedule and in compliance with European environmental and safety standards.

“France remains an attractive country for international industrial investments and we are convinced that the excellence and experience of French engineering can provide real added value to support France's industrial transition. In this sense, Ingerop is proud to support the installation of Futerro in our country. This project, recognised by the European Commission as a transition initiative for the chemical industry, will enable us to contribute to the green reindustrialisation of France by providing Futerro with all our expertise in impact studies, building design, transport and logistics infrastructure development, energy and water infrastructures, as well as ecology and regulatory safety.” explains Yves Metz, Chairman of the Ingerop Group.

Eiffage, through its subsidiaries Eiffage Construction and Eiffage Génie Civil, is proud to contribute its design-build expertise to this major industrial project. The project involves major technical, methodological and environmental challenges, enabling Eiffage Group to demonstrate its technical expertise and capabilities. The Group's involvement at early stage, in close collaboration with Ingerop and Ataub, enables us to select the best solutions to meet Futerro's needs, while controlling the project's costs.

“The multidisciplinary nature of the project, which combines innovative industrial processes, multimodality, decarbonisation and the challenge of reindustrialising the country, makes this project extremely motivating for our teams,” says Nicolas Mader, Project Director, Eiffage Construction.

Architect Ataub, based in Rouen and Le Havre, brings to the consortium its knowledge of the context and expertise in commercial and industrial developments and buildings, for the development of the project's building components and for the preparation of the regulatory files (building permits and environmental files).

“Already well established in the Lillebonne area, Ataub is delighted to be able to contribute to promising industrial projects alongside reliable partners with whom we have established a genuine partnership approach and a real understanding of how to work together.” says Alexis Korganow, Ataub Associate

Setting course for green chemistry, an ambition in line with recent European positions

Futerro has taken a decisive step in the development of its project, backed by the support of all its partners. This innovative industrial initiative is perfectly in line with the ambitions of the European Green Deal. In this respect, the “Clean Industrial Deal” published at the end of February 2025 reiterates the urgent need to move away from fossil-based materials, and the importance of using new sources of raw materials such as bio-based materials to replace fossil-based plastics. By transforming the traditionally petrochemical industrial landscape of Normandy, France and Europe, this pioneering biorefinery marks the advent of a major player in green chemistry and symbolises the concrete implementation of the ecological and industrial transition.