AVA Biochem, world leader in 5-HMF production, is expanding its product portfolio to include platform chemical FDCA (2,5-Furandicarboxylic acid). In addition to 5-HMF, the Swiss company will now deliver high-quality FDCA to customers and partners engaged in research and development of new products.

Furan derivatives produced from renewable carbohydrates are some of the most important next-generation platform chemicals. In 2004, the US Department of Energy classed FDCA as one of the 12 most important platform chemicals in the world.

AVA Biochem’s 5-HMF production is based on hydrothermal processing technology (HPT) and is an excellent, cost-efficient basis for the oxidation of 5-HMF to FDCA. Significant cost advantages can be realised on an industrial scale, paving the way for competitively priced bio-based packaging solutions in the future.

FDCA produced from 5-HMF allows for the production of biobased PEF (polyethylene furanoate) and other materials. Thanks to a variety of sought after product advantages, these materials will help biobased plastics to massively grow its share in the billion-dollar packaging market.

“Expanding the product portfolio to include FDCA is another important milestone for AVA Biochem. This will significantly accelerate market development of 100 percent biobased plastic packaging based on PEF, a renewable replacement material for PET,” explains Thomas Kläusli, chief marketing officer of the Swiss biochemical company.