10th International Conference on Bio-bases Marerials – Köln, Germany- May 10-11, 2017
Availability of sugars for bio-based chemicals will increase over time from current 180Mtons due to several favorable global trends (e.g. reduction of consumption per capita and availability of cellulosic sugars down the road)
5-HMF is the door to a long list of derivatives and chemicals
End of 2016, Avalon refocused its business model on 5-HMF and its demo platform to produce 5-HMF in aqueous solution ( capacity 50 kg per hour / dry weight). Process is ready for scale- up. 5-HMF crystalline is also available (12t per h/dry weight)
5-HMF leads to FDCA via an oxidation process that can be biological, enzymatic, chemical, and OXY 2.0 ( a new process under development by AVALON and not disclosed) . Then FDCA leads to PEF via polymerisation. But 5-HMF can be used as formaldehyde replacement in composite materials, a replacement very much in demand due to formaldehyde classification as toxic substance, carcinogenic to humans. Combined with lignin, 5-HMF can lead to a 100% bio-based replacement of phenol-formaldehyde adhesive for wood panels and composites. Avalon is working on it. Avalon is also opened to partnerships to build a full value chain on both side of the part they master ( fructose to 5-HMF to FDCA)
