Avantium starts up Delfzijl FDCA Flagship Plant with first FDCA batch produced

Key highlights
  • Avantium produced the first batch of FDCA at its FDCA Flagship Plant in Delfzijl, the world’s first commercial-scale FDCA plant.
  • All major process units have been commissioned, marking the transition from commissioning to operational start-up and qualification.
  • Avantium will run a disciplined product qualification and operating program, moving from batch toward continuous operations and preparing for commercial sales expected toward the end of 2026.
  • Ramp-up to full design capacity is expected to take 12–24 months and should validate the YXY® Technology and support licensing discussions with partners.

Start-up milestone

Avantium has produced the first batch of furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) at its FDCA Flagship Plant in Delfzijl, described as the world’s first commercial-scale FDCA plant. The company reports successful commissioning of all major process units, and views the first-batch production as a major start-up milestone that moves activities from commissioning to operational start-up and qualification.

Qualification and initial operations

Avantium will focus on a disciplined product qualification and operating programme to ensure FDCA meets customer specifications, progressing from batch toward continuous operations. Management says teams will optimise operations, produce additional FDCA and complete qualification activities as part of preparing for commercial sales.

Ramp-up, capacity and commercial outlook

Commercial sales are anticipated to start toward the end of 2026. The company expects ramp-up to full design capacity to take 12–24 months after plant start-up. A successful start-up and qualification process is expected to provide commercial-scale validation of Avantium’s YXY® Technology for FDCA and PEF and to support advancement of licensing discussions with prospective partners worldwide.

Source: Avantium

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