Descripción del proyecto
Un planteamiento sostenible y de bajo coste para la producción de ácido 2,5-furandicarboxílico
La empresa suiza AVA Biochem es el principal productor de 5-hidroximetilfurfural (HMF), un elemento básico para muchas aplicaciones en diferentes industrias, como la química, la farmacéutica y la alimentaria. La empresa ya ha encontrado un método para producir HMF a partir de biomasa, que es un 2 000 % más barato que los métodos de producción actuales. Con la ayuda del proyecto PairElOx, financiado con fondos europeos, el equipo de AVA Biochem investigará cómo obtener ácido 2,5-furandicarboxílico (FDCA), un producto químico con alto valor añadido que se usa, sobre todo, para el furanoato de polietileno, un poliéster ideal para envases. Los investigadores se proponen desarrollar una planta piloto integral y continua para la oxidación del HMF en agua con oxidación electroquímica emparejada para obtener FDCA de base biológica, que será mucho más barato que el FDCA convencional.
Objetivo
AVA Biochem is a specialty chemicals company and produces the premium platform chemical 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) from renewable biomass. We are the owner of the world’s 1st industrial plant for production of 5-HMF from biomass. Recently the company has added 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) to its product portfolio. FDCA is considered as a top 12 Top Value-Added Chemicals, which can be used in a wide variety of applications, most significantly in the production of Polyethylene Furanoate (PEF), a polyester ideal for packaging. Most plastic bottles are made from PET (oil-based polyethylene terephthalate) but PEF is a superior polymer. It offers a better barrier for CO2 and O2, is stronger but thinner and has a longer shelf life. PEF is a bio-based substitute for oil-based PET. However, in the market, there is not an industrial commercial process to produce FDCA because of the price. After a long R&D way, we offers an HMF from biomass, which a price more than 2000% lower than currently. Diverse approaches for the oxidation of HMF to FDCA have been developed usually with uncompleted conversion. However, we have developed a continuous, integrated pilot plant for the oxidation of HMF in water with paired electrochemical oxidation to obtain FDCA and its purification. This technology has advantages since the oxidant is substituted by electrons, and the oxidation occurs at both anode and cathode, thus the produced waste and energy are minimized. Applying this concept we obtain FDCA with yields >99% in the lab and a purity of 99.95 wt%. The selectivity is >90% without any dangerous by-products. The process also takes place in water so neither hazardous organic solvents are necessary. It is considered as a green process because an energy savings of 66% and GHG emissions reductions by 35% are realized. Thus, the bio-based FDCA end-product will be offered to the market at much lower price than currently, having a crucial role to play in the PEF bioplastic packaging.
Ámbito científico
Programa(s)
Convocatoria de propuestas
Consulte otros proyectos de esta convocatoriaConvocatoria de subcontratación
H2020-SMEINST-1-2016-2017
Régimen de financiación
SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1Coordinador
4132 Muttenz
Suiza
Organización definida por ella misma como pequeña y mediana empresa (pyme) en el momento de la firma del acuerdo de subvención.