Syensqo S.A. (Brussels, Belgium) and Microsoft Corp. (Redmond, Wash.) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore a strategic collaboration aimed at accelerating digital innovation and sustainable materials development. By combining Syensqo’s deep scientific expertise with Microsoft’s leadership in AI and cloud computing, the companies will work together to unlock new opportunities across research, manufacturing, and product development.
The MOU outlines potential joint efforts in key areas: scaling advanced cloud systems for secured data and workplace, applying generative AI across operations, and discovering sustainable materials, leveraging the new “Microsoft Discovery” platform, that was launched on the occasion of the 2025 Microsoft Build Conference with Syensqo as the main developing partner in the chemical industry. This will allow Syensqo to accelerate innovation in bio-based polymers, circular composites, and materials that support clean energy systems. In 2024, Microsoft and Umicore announced a collaboration aimed at the development of novel battery materials supported by AI.
“This partnership with Microsoft reflects our ambition to be at the forefront of sustainable and digital transformation as we are setting the pace for digital transformation in science, accelerating technology breakthroughs and driving positive societal impact. By integrating AI into everything from product discovery to factory floor efficiency, we’re not just accelerating innovation—we’re redefining what’s possible in the specialty materials industry,” commented Ilham Kadri, CEO of Syensqo.
“At Microsoft, we believe that the convergence of advanced cloud computing and AI is reshaping scientific discovery. This collaboration with Syensqo reflects our shared ambition to accelerate innovation and sustainability through technology. By combining Syensqo’s pioneering work in materials science with Microsoft’s AI and cloud platforms, including our newly launched ‘Microsoft Discovery’ initiative, we aim to unlock new frontiers in clean energy and circular materials,” said Elena Bonfiglioli, Worldwide General Manager Healthcare, life science & chemicals at Microsoft.
This collaboration builds on Syensqo’s AI use cases – from research to customer engagement. Its internal platform, Syensqo.AI, has launched powerful internal tools like SyGPT, a secure generative AI assistant now available to Syensqo’s employees and transforming day-to-day work, enabling them to complete complex tasks with incredible time gains.
In commercial operations, Syensqo developed SyGrow, an AI-driven lead generation tool that analyzes data to identify new customer prospects, streamline meeting preparation, and increase customer-facing time for sales teams.
In R&D, Syensqo is leveraging AI to design entirely new polymers by generating and screening millions of hypothetical molecules, drastically reducing discovery time. The company is also combining AI with robotics in its formulation labs—most notably to create biosourced, biodegradable shampoo ingredients.
The MOU between Syensqo and Microsoft provides a non-binding framework for collaboration and knowledge sharing, with the goal of exploring joint development projects and establishing a roadmap for future strategic engagement.
As part of the MOU, both companies also aim to explore how Syensqo’s advanced materials could support Microsoft’s evolving technology infrastructure and sustainability goals. Syensqo’s advanced materials indeed enable AI technologies. From powerful semiconductor components to energy systems, Syensqo provides the building blocks of tomorrow’s digital infrastructure, while remaining at the forefront of innovation.