MUTTENZ, Switzerland – Commercial-scale production of the high-purity renewable platform chemical, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), has started at the Biochem-1 facility operated by AVA Biochem in Muttenz, Switzerland.

The Swiss?made 5-HMF is made from renewable feedstock. Biochem-1 will, in a first phase, produce up to 20 metric tons 5-HMF per year.

AVA Biochem offers a sustainable new material for a wide range of applications and sectors, from chemicals and plastics to food and pharmaceuticals. A subsidiary of AVA-CO2, AVA Biochem’s new, innovative production process for 5-HMF is based on a modified version of the hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) process.

Various levels of purity ­up to 99.9% - are available. Commercial-scale quantities are now available for delivery.

In 2010, 5-HMF was identified as one of the top-10 most valuable platform chemicals by the U.S. Department of Energy. It is being used in the research and development of innovative new materials and products, such as for polymers, resins and additives.

Biochem’s CEO Jan Vyskocil said, “AVA Biochem's breakthrough HTC technology is opening new markets for renewable 5-HMF. I am convinced that this will push us to the forefront of the bio-based chemical industry.”