Descrizione del progetto
Un approccio economico e sostenibile alla produzione di FDCA
L’azienda AVA Biochem, con sede in Svizzera, è il principale produttore di 5-idrossimetilfurfurale (5-HMF), un elemento costitutivo per molte applicazioni in diversi settori come quello chimico, farmaceutico e alimentare. L’azienda ha già trovato un modo per produrre HMF dalla biomassa, che risulta meno caro del 2 000 % rispetto agli attuali metodi di produzione. Grazie all’aiuto del progetto PairElOx, finanziato dall’UE, AVA Biochem studierà come ottenere l’acido 2,5-furandicarbossilico (FDCA), una sostanza chimica ad alto valore aggiunto utilizzata principalmente per il polietilene furanoato, un poliestere ideale per il confezionamento. I ricercatori puntano a sviluppare un impianto pilota continuo e integrato per l’ossidazione di HMF in acqua con ossidazione elettrochimica accoppiata per ottenere FDCA a base biologica, che si rivelerà molto più economico di quello tradizionale.
Obiettivo
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.
Campo scientifico
Programma(i)
Invito a presentare proposte
Vedi altri progetti per questo bandoBando secondario
H2020-SMEINST-1-2016-2017
Meccanismo di finanziamento
SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1Coordinatore
4132 Muttenz
Svizzera
L’organizzazione si è definita una PMI (piccola e media impresa) al momento della firma dell’accordo di sovvenzione.