AVA Biochem Starts First Industrial Production of Renewable 5-HMF
5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) (figure: AVA Biochem)
Commercial-scale production of the high-purity renewable platform chemical, 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) has started at the Biochem-1 facility operated by AVA Biochem BSL AG in Muttenz, Switzerland.
The Swiss-made 5-HMF is made from renewable feedstock and Biochem-1 will, in a first phase, produce up to 20 tonnes 5-HMF per year. AVA Biochem offers a sustainable new material for a wide range of applications and sectors, from chemicals and plastics to food and pharmaceuticals. A subsidiary of AVA-CO2, AVA Biochem’s new, innovative production process for 5-HMF is based on a modified version of the hydrothermal carbonisation (HTC) process. Various levels of purity – up to 99.9% – are available. Commercial-scale quantities are now available for delivery.
In 2010, 5-HMF was identified as one of the top 10 most valuable platform chemicals by the United States Department of Energy. It is intensively being used in the research and development of innovative new materials and products, such as for polymers, resins and
additives.
On announcing the start of commercial-scale production, AVA Biochem’s CEO Jan Vyskocil said, “AVA Biochem's breakthrough HTC technology is opening new markets for renewable 5-HMF. I am convinced that this will push us to the forefront of the bio-based chemical industry.”
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