Description du projet
Une approche durable et peu coûteuse de production de FDCA
La société AVA Biochem, basée en Suisse, est le principal producteur de 5-hydroxyméthylfurfural (5-HMF), un élément de base de nombreuses applications dans plusieurs industries comme l’industrie chimique, pharmaceutique et alimentaire. La société a déjà trouvé un moyen de produire du HMF à partir de la biomasse, ce qui est 2 000 % moins cher que les méthodes de production actuelles. Avec l’aide du projet PairElOx, financé par l’UE, AVA Biochem étudiera le moyen d’obtenir de l’acide 2,5-furandicarboxylique (FDCA), un produit chimique à haute valeur ajoutée principalement utilisé pour le polyéthylène furanoate, un polyester idéal pour l’emballage. Les chercheurs souhaitent développer une usine pilote intégrée et continue destinée à l’oxydation du HMF dans l’eau avec une oxydation électrochimique couplée pour obtenir du FDCA d’origine biologique. Celui-ci sera beaucoup moins cher que le FDCA conventionnel.
Objectif
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.
Champ scientifique
Programme(s)
Régime de financement
SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1Coordinateur
4132 Muttenz
Suisse
L’entreprise s’est définie comme une PME (petite et moyenne entreprise) au moment de la signature de la convention de subvention.