Avantium Launches FDCA Flagship Plant's SDH Unit
- The FDCA Flagship Plant in Delfzijl is designed to produce up to 5 kilotonnes of FDCA annually.
- Commercial sales are expected to begin in Q1 2026, with full capacity in 24 months.
- The SDH unit converts plant sugars into methoxymethyl furfural (MMF).
- Repairs are needed for quality issues in piping and electrical components.
FDCA Flagship Plant Overview
Avantium's FDCA Flagship Plant, located at Chemie Park Delfzijl, is the first commercial facility dedicated to producing FDCA, a key component for the plant-based polymer PEF. The plant is designed to produce up to 5 kilotonnes of FDCA annually.
SDH Unit Start-Up
The sugar dehydration (SDH) unit, the largest part of the plant, has successfully started operations. It converts plant sugars into methoxymethyl furfural (MMF), an essential intermediate in FDCA production. This follows the earlier start-up of utility and auxiliary systems, including the tank farm and steam systems.
Next Steps and Challenges
With the SDH unit operational, Avantium will finalize commissioning and start up the remaining units for oxidation and purification. Quality issues in piping and electrical components have been identified and will be addressed to ensure a safe and reliable start-up.
Commercialization Timeline
Avantium plans to begin commercial sales of FDCA in the first quarter of 2026 under existing offtake agreements. The company aims to reach full production capacity within 24 months. The FDCA will be polymerized by tolling partner Selenis using biobased mono-ethylene glycol (MEG) to create PEF, pending performance testing and regulatory validation for food contact applications.
Source: Avantium