Biorefinery: scale-up of 5-HMF derivatives

The overall aim is to transform chemical industries from using fossil feedstock to renewable biomass.

In this project, we will convert 5-HMF, that can be produced from the sugars in biomass and residual streams, to valuable chemicals. The chemicals are important for applications such as e.g. polymers, coatings, sealants and elastomers.

We have the whole value chain represented in the project with Sekab (produces sugar from biomass), Nordic Sugar AB (have residual material from sugar production), Perstorp (produces the specialty chemicals) and Bona AB (could use the chemicals in their products).

We have earlier produced these chemicals on small lab scale with a few grams, and the goal in this project is to produce the chemicals on kg scale. To reach this goal it is critical to develop a more stable and selective catalyst.

The results will be used to perform application tests, techno economic analysis, market analysis and LCA to make a base for a decision regarding industrialization.