Swiss company AVA Biochem has begun commercial-scale production of the renewable platform chemical 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) at its Biochem-1 facility in Muttenz, Switzerland. The company's innovative production process for 5-HMF is based on a modified version of the hydrothermal carbonisation process. 5-HMF is used in the development of new materials and products, such as polymers, resins, and additives. AVA Biochem's CEO, Jan Vyskocil, believes that the company's technology will push them to the forefront of the bio-based chemical industry.
Muttenz, Switzerland – 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 in Muttenz, Switzerland. The Swiss-made 5-HMF is made from renewable feed- stock 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.
Platform Chemicals
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.”