Production of Levulinic Acid Commences at GFBiochemicals

At a glance

GFBiochemicals has announced the start of commercial production at its levulinic acid plant in Caserta, Italy. The plant has a capacity of 10,000 MT/a, making it the largest operational production plant for levulinic acid in the world. GFBiochemicals is the first company to produce levulinic acid at a commercial scale directly from biomass. The company's unique technology allows for a lower price range, opening up new market segments. CEO Maxim Katinov praised the engineering and R&D teams for delivering results on schedule.

Montreal - Biobased chemical company GFBiochemicals has started commercial production at its 10,000 MT/a capacity levulinic acid plant in Caserta, Italy. The announcement was made at the BIO World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology, Montreal. GFBiochemicals is the first company to produce levulinic acid at commercial scale directly from biomass.


“Caserta is now the world's largest operational production plant for levulinic acid,” said Chief Commercial Officer Marcel van Berkel. “A fundamentally lower price range is now possible using our unique technology. This will give access to previously undiscovered market segments.”


CEO Maxim Katinov said, “GFBiochemicals has successfully achieved a substantial milestone – the start-up of commercial-scale production. I would like to praise and thank our engineering and R&D teams who have clearly demonstrated the company’s ability to deliver results on schedule.”