25. Nov 2019
Novamont starts construction of a demo plant for the production of FDCA
Three years ago, in October 2016 at the previous edition of K, Novamont announced it was working on the development of a proprietary technology for the production of hydroxymethylfurfural acid, furandicarboxylic acid and a series of polymers for captive use.
Now, three years and a K show later, Novamont has announced a 10 million-euro investment programme, as part of the expansion and diversification of its production plant in Terni, for the construction of a demonstration plant dedicated to a new monomer of vegetable origin derived from sugars (2.5 furandicarboxylic or FDCA).
FDCA is a platform for multiple applications and Novamont will use it as a raw material for the synthesis of polyesters and biodegradable and compostable biomaterials. This will enable the production of fifth-generation MATER-BI as well as a series of products with oxygen and carbon dioxide barrier properties for the food packaging sector.
With this new proprietary technology, Novamont is continuing its process of innovation in the bioeconomy sector. The range of biodegradable and compostable polymers and polymeric alloys that are to be produced, offering high performance under actual use conditions, are also proprietary.
The investment was made possible with the support of Invitalia, the Italian agency for inward investment and economic development under the Ministry of the Economy, which is financing the project with subsidies of 5.8 million euros (5 million in a subsidised loan and an unsecured loan for the remainder).
Upon completion of the industrialisation phase, scheduled for the end of 2021, the Terni plant for the production of furandicarboxylic acid will be another bioeconomy infrastructure integrated in the local area and interconnected with the group's other sites.
https://www.novamont.com