AVA Biochem produces and licenses the bio-based platform chemical 5-HMF using the COBRIS™ process.
AVA Biochem AG
Zug · MuttenzNew on Amplifa
About AVA Biochem
AVA Biochem AG, headquartered in Zug, specialises in the industrial production, distribution, licensing and development of the 100% bio-based platform chemical 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF). 5-HMF is a renewable and non-toxic alternative to a range of petroleum-based substances and serves as a link between biomass and furan-based chemicals. Since 2014, the company has been producing high-purity 5-HMF for research purposes and the specialty chemicals market, as well as 5-HMF in technical grade for applications in bulk chemistry. Production takes place using the proprietary COBRIS™ process (Conversion of Biomass to Renewable Industrial Substances) via hydrothermal technology (HTx), in which sugar-rich biomass is converted into 5-HMF. At the demonstration plant in Muttenz, 5-HMF is produced in various grades and forms with a capacity of around six tonnes per year; purification is carried out using separation systems from Sulzer Chemtech. The portfolio also includes downstream products such as 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)furan, diformylfuran, furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) and polyethylene furanoate (PEF). In 2021, the company concluded an exclusive licensing agreement with Sulzer Chemtech for the commercialisation of the COBRIS™ technology.
- Site
- Zug
- Processes
- Purification/processing of 5-HMF (separation technology with Sulzer Chemtech separation systems), Development services, Licensing of the COBRIS™ technology, HTx (hydrothermal technologies)
- Materials
- 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), 2,5-Bis(hydroxymethyl)furan, Diformylfuran, Furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), Polyethylene furanoate (PEF), Bio-based chemicals / platform chemicals, 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural, Furandicarboxylic acid
- Industries
- Chemical industry, Pharmaceutical industry, Food industry, Bulk/specialty chemicals, Packaging, Adhesives
- 01
Processing of sugar-rich biomass
- 02
COBRIS™ process (HTx): conversion to 5-HMF
- 03
Purification using Sulzer Chemtech separation systems
- 04
Distribution in research and technical grades
- 05
Development services and licensing of the technology
Products and Processes
5-Hydroxymethylfurfural
Key bio-based platform chemical for the chemical, pharmaceutical and food industries, available in research and technical grades.
2,5-Bis(hydroxymethyl)furan
Bio-based downstream product of 5-HMF for further chemical applications.
Diformylfuran
Bio-based furan derivative from the product portfolio.
Furandicarboxylic acid
Bio-based chemical, among other things a precursor for plastics such as PEF.
Polyethylene furanoate
Bio-based furan-based plastic as an alternative to PET, among other things for packaging.
Hydrothermal technology (HTx)
Proprietary process for converting sugar-rich biomass into 5-HMF according to the principles of green chemistry.
Locations
Zug
CHHeadquarters
Muttenz
CH5-HMF demonstration and production plant
- Materials
- 5-HMF in various grades and forms
- 5-HMF production demonstration plant
- Sulzer Chemtech separation systems
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemistry/process engineering | – | – | – | – | Sugar-rich biomass, 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) |
| Chemistry/process engineering | – | – | – | – | 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), 2,5-Bis(hydroxymethyl)furan, Diformylfuran, Furandicarboxylic acid, Polyethylene furanoate (PEF) |
| Purification/processing of 5-HMF (separation technology with Sulzer Chemtech separation systems)Chemistry/process engineering | – | – | – | – | 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) |
1 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Demonstration plant for 5-HMF production with Sulzer Chemtech separation systems | Sulzer Chemtech | – | – | – | Muttenz, Switzerland |
Additional services
Reference customers
History
- 2014
Start of production of high-purity 5-HMF for research purposes and specialty chemicals markets
- 2021
Exclusive licensing agreement with Sulzer Chemtech for the commercialisation of the COBRIS™ technology (6 May 2021)