DuPont Industrial Biosciences (Wilmington, Delaware / USA; www.dupont.com) and Archer Daniels Midland (ADM, Decatur, Illinois / USA; www.adm.com) have developed a new process for producing furan dicarboxylic methyl ester (FDME) from fructose. The high-purity derivative of furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) is one of the 12 building blocks identified by the US Department of Energy as having potential for conversion into a number of high-value, bio-based chemicals or high-performance materials in particular for use in packaging, engineering plastics or textile applications.

The companies claim their route to production is more efficient and simpler than traditional conversion approaches and results in higher yields, lower energy usage and lower capital expenditure. So far, upgrading to commercial scale at a reasonable cost has hindered its further development. With ADM contributing its expertise in fructose production and carbohydrate chemistry and DuPont its biotechnology, chemistry, materials and applications expertise, the two companies plan to build a 60 t/y demonstration plant at Decatur, Illinois / USA to provide customers with sufficient material for testing and research.

One of the first polymers under development is polytrimethylene furandicarboxylate (PTF), described as a novel polyester made from DuPont's proprietary Bio-PDO (1,3-propanediol). According to the chemical group, it is a fully renewable and recyclable polymer that, compared with other polyesters, “substantially improves” gas-barrier properties and thus lengthens shelf-life.

"This molecule is a game-changing platform technology. It will enable cost-efficient production of a variety of 100% renewable, high-performance chemicals and polymers with applications across a broad range of industries," said Simon Herriot, global business director for biomaterials at DuPont.