Upscaling of FDCA Synthesis from HMF to an Industrial Scale

Abstract: To support the transition into green plastics, the upscaling and economic analysis of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) synthesis from 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) was done. The project can be described as a plant-to-plastics process, with sugar beet-derived HMF as a starting point. The final product in this upscaled process can be further processed into polyethylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate (PEF). PEF is a polymer with better properties than PET, better gas barrier properties to mention some, which could lead to reduced plastics consumption since less material is needed for the same end-use. The oxidation of FDCA is catalysed by the enzymes PaoABC, GOaseM3-5, HRP and catalse, with a 100 % yield. Operating conditions are mild; 37 °C and 4.9 bar(a) and the process design is kept fairly simple due to the lack of by-products which reduces the need for downstream process equipment. There is a total annual cost for the FDCA production of 4867 MSEK, which gives a cost of 24,300 SEK/tonne. The components affecting the overall cost of production the most is the feedstock and reagents. Out of the reagents it is the enzymes used for catalysis that are responsible for the majority of the cost.