Chemicals group Syensqo has announced a partnership with Microsoft to boost innovation in biobased polymers and sustainable materials. The collaboration aims to leverage AI technology to support the development of circular and environmentally friendly materials.
Syensqo, spun off from Solvay in late 2023, will utilize Microsoft Discovery, an AI platform designed for research and development. The platform can integrate with Syensqo’s proprietary systems and data to accelerate the discovery of new biobased polymers and sustainable composites.
The partnership’s goal is to explore joint projects and create a strategic roadmap focused on sustainability. Syensqo aims to use AI to reduce discovery time and improve the design of environmentally friendly materials for clean energy, circular composites, and biobased polymers.
CEO Ilham Kadri stated, “By integrating AI into product discovery and manufacturing, we are not just accelerating innovation — we’re redefining what’s possible in the specialty materials industry, especially in sustainability.”
Syensqo’s focus on biobased materials aligns with global efforts to promote circular economies and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The company’s research involves generating and analyzing millions of hypothetical molecules to develop new polymers with lower environmental impacts.
The partnership also explores how Microsoft can incorporate Syensqo’s sustainable materials into its AI infrastructure and cloud solutions to meet broader sustainability goals. Syensqo’s materials are positioned as key components for future digital and energy infrastructures that prioritize environmental responsibility.
In addition, Syensqo is planning to open ‘The Brain,’ an AI hub in Ghent by 2027, to further advance AI-driven materials research. The hub will support innovations aimed at reducing environmental footprints across industries.
This collaboration highlights how AI technology can facilitate the transition to sustainable materials. It demonstrates the potential for industry leaders to harness digital innovation to promote circularity and environmentally responsible manufacturing practices.
