Project description
A low-cost, sustainable approach to the FDCA production
Switzerland-based company AVA Biochem is the leading producer of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), a building block for many applications in several industries like chemical, pharmaceutical and food. The company has already found a way to produce HMF from biomass, which is 2 000% cheaper than current production methods. With the help of the EU-funded PairElOx project, AVA Biochem will investigate how to obtain 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), a top value-added chemical mostly used for polyethylene furanoate – a polyester ideal for packaging. Researchers aim to develop a continuous, integrated pilot plant for the oxidation of HMF in water with paired electrochemical oxidation to obtain bio-based FDCA. This will be much cheaper than conventional FDCA.
Objective
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.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1Coordinator
4132 Muttenz
Switzerland
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.