Chemical Industry News, Data & Insights

Avantium and Will & Co Partner to Promote FDCA in CASE Applications

Key highlights
  • Avantium and Will & Co collaborate to advance FDCA in CASE applications.
  • FDCA is a bio-based building block enhancing synthetic materials.
  • Avantium's YXY® Technology converts plant sugars into FDCA.
  • Avantium is starting the first commercial FDCA plant in Delfzijl, Netherlands.

Collaboration Overview

Avantium N.V., a leader in renewable polymers, and Will & Co B.V., a distributor of specialty chemicals, have partnered to promote the use of FDCA (furandicarboxylic acid) in Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants, and Elastomers (CASE). This collaboration aims to accelerate the adoption of FDCA as a sustainable, bio-based chemical building block in various industries.

FDCA's Role and Applications

FDCA is a versatile, bio-based building block that enhances the performance of synthetic materials such as alkyd resins, surfactants, and polyester polyols. These materials are used in everyday applications, including paints, adhesives, flooring, roofing, tubing, automotive components, and construction materials.

Technological Advancements

Avantium's patented YXY® Technology plays a crucial role in this collaboration. It catalytically converts plant-based sugars into FDCA, which is a key building block for the sustainable plastic PEF (polyethylene furanoate). Avantium has successfully demonstrated this technology at its pilot plant in Geleen, the Netherlands, and is in the process of starting the world's first commercial FDCA plant in Delfzijl, the Netherlands.

Strategic Importance

This partnership leverages Will & Co's strong position and expertise in the CASE industry, combined with Avantium's innovative technology, to support the transition to more sustainable solutions. The collaboration is a significant step towards advancing the bioeconomy and developing revolutionary renewable chemistry solutions from invention to commercial scale.