Futerro S.A., a Belgian company specialising in the production of lactic acid, lactide (two platform biomolecules), and PLA (polylactic acid), together with its sister company Galactic S.A., has announced a partnership agreement in France. The agreement provides for the establishment of a new production facility by Galactic on the same site as Futerro’s project, located within the industrial port area of Port-Jérôme-sur-Seine (Seine-Maritime, 76). This new plant will transform part of the lactic acid produced by Futerro into various derivatives and bio-based molecules for the agri-food and green chemistry markets. This development further strengthens Futerro’s project, which already benefits from a synergy with the agricultural cooperative group Tereos for the supply of sustainable and locally sourced biomass, anchoring it even more firmly at the heart of green chemistry. An ambition reinforced by the momentum of its recent recognition at the Choose France 2025 Summit.
“This new agreement reflects Futerro’s active commitment to building, in France and across Europe, a local ecosystem dedicated to the defossilisation of the chemical industry. Our integrated project, in partnership with leading players such as Tereos and Galactic, demonstrates the vital role the bioeconomy plays in securing industrial sovereignty while supporting the urgent and necessary ecological transition. We are particularly honoured by the recognition received from the French government during the Choose France Summit, a distinction we share with all our partners, but also with a flourishing industry on a national and European scale. Together with Galactic, we are proud to contribute actively to the creation of a more sustainable future and a more environmentally responsible industry.” said Frédéric Van Gansberghe, CEO of Futerro.
AN ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT TO DIVERSIFY THE USES OF LACTIC ACID
The Futerro project represents an investment of approximately €500 million in Normandy. It aims to become the first biorefinery in Europe to integrate full circularity, from the production of platform biomolecules (lactic acid and lactide) and bioplastic (PLA) to the chemical and mechanical recycling of PLA itself: a European and global first. The main objective is to supply European markets in search of biobased materials and more resilient solutions.
As part of a coordinated and interdependent approach, Futerro’s sister company, Galactic, is planning an additional investment to establish a unit, on the same site, dedicated to processing part of the lactic acid produced by Futerro. This facility will focus on converting lactic acid into various derivatives, notably for the agri-food sector, where they will be used as natural preservatives or other lactic acid-based specialties. The new unit will also produce environmentally-friendly green solvents, mainly for the European and French markets.
Together, the combined investment by Futerro and Galactic aims to contribute to the development of an innovative and enduring bio-industrial ecosystem in Normandy. These developments should strengthen the region's - and therefore France's - position in the green chemistry sector, while responding to the growing consumer demand for more sustainable and defossilised alternatives.
“We are looking forward to contributing to this ambitious project. Our expertise will allow us to transform part of the lactic acid produced by Futerro into high value-added solutions, such as our natural antimicrobials, recognized for their effectiveness in extending shelf life and ensuring food safety. These natural products are already used in a wide range of food applications, including meat, vegetarian and vegan products, dairy, bakery, and animal health. This is a promising synergy for strengthening strategic independence and enhancing both European and French competitiveness.” emphasizes Laurent Guérindon, CEO of Galactic.
A DIVERSIFIED, JOB-CREATING GREEN CHEMISTRY CLUSTER RECOGNISED AS STRATEGIC FOR FRANCE
A year ago, Futerro and Tereos, a cooperative group and a key player in the sugar, ethanol and starch markets, entered into an agreement to supply the biorefinery with dextrose derived from French wheat certified as sustainably produced. This strategic partnership aims to establish an integrated value chain within a single region, transforming dextrose into platform biomolecules and into PLA, a bioplastic that is both industrially compostable and recyclable. These shared ambitions support the creation of a bio-industrial, multi-product, innovative, circular and sustainable platform.
« The establishment of this new production unit in Normandy is further evidence of our region's strong industrial dynamic and illustrates our ambition to become a European leader in an evolving chemical industry. With this project, an entire green chemistry sector is being structured, creating sustainable jobs and innovation. We are proud to welcome companies like Futerro and Galactic in Normandy, who have chosen to invest in environmentally friendly solutions, drawing on the industrial and logistical strengths of our region. This partnership is a concrete demonstration of the strategy we are pursuing to make Normandy a land of industrial excellence that is wealth-creating, innovative and exemplary. » adds Hervé Morin, President of the Normandy Region.
Today, the addition of a lactic acid processing unit for the agri-food market further strengthens this initiative, offering enhanced value creation and diversification of production in Normandy. Moreover, this additional project is expected to generate around 25 new direct jobs by 2028, while supporting the industrial transition of a region historically centered around fossil-based industries. This development paves the way for the reinvention of the chemical and plastics sectors in France and across Europe, fully aligned with their strategic recognition by the European Commission (as outlined in the “Clean Industrial Deal”) and by the French government, which expressed its support by recognizing the Futerro biorefinery project in Port-Jérôme at the 8th Choose France Summit.
========================================
About Futerro
Futerro is a leading Belgian company in the lactic acid and polylactic acid (PLA) sector, a bio-based, industrially compostable and recyclable biopolymer capable of replacing fossil-based plastics in everyday life. A pioneer in research since 1992, the company officially launched in 2007, with the construction of its first pilot lactic acid polymerisation unit in Belgium, followed by the opening of its PLA industrial production unit in China in 2021. Futerro now plans to set up a new biorefinery in France by 2028. The company is the only one in the world to have complete control over the entire PLA production chain: fermentation of sugar into lactic acid, polymerisation into PLA and end-of- life management via its patented mechanical and chemical recycling technology.
For further information, please visit: www.futerro.com
About Galactic
Galactic, established in 1994, is a global leader in fermentation technology, specialising in the production of lactic acid and its derivatives. With more than 30 years of experience, the company produces a broad range of natural antimicrobials and ingredients for both food and non-food industries. The group operates state-of-the-art production facilities in Europe, Asia and North America, supported by a dynamic team of researchers in Belgium, China and the United States, and offices in Brazil, Mexico and Japan. Committed to innovation, sustainability and quality, Galactic focuses on creating safe, healthy and eco-friendly solutions to meet the evolving demands of consumers and industries worldwide.
For further information, please visit: www.lactic.com
Press contact Futerro :
ComCorp Agency
Kelly Leotardi: kleotardi@comcorp.fr – +33 7 50 87 76 62
Anne-Claire Berthomieu: acberthomieu@comcorp.fr – +33 6 16 53 15 70
Press contact Galactic:
Marie Colou - Marketing & Communications Specialist - mcol@lactic.com