DuPont and ADM make bio-based materials breakthrough

DuPont Industrial Biosciences and Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) have developed a method for producing furan dicarboxylic methyl ester (FDME) from fructose, which they have described as a breakthrough process with the potential to expand the materials landscape in the 21st century in regard to high-performance renewable products.

DuPont Industrial Biosciences and Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) have developed a method for producing furan dicarboxylic methyl ester (FDME) from fructose

FDME is a high-purity derivative of furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), one of the 12 building blocks identified by the US Department of Energy that can be converted into a number of high-value, bio-based chemicals or materials that can deliver high performance in a number of applications.  It has long been sought-after and researched, but has not yet been available at commercial scale and at reasonable cost.  The new FDME technology developed by DuPont and ADM, an expert in fructose production and carbohydrate chemistry, is said to be a more efficient and simple process than traditional conversion approaches, resulting in higher yields, lower energy usage and lower capital expenditures.

The technology has applications in packaging, textiles, engineering plastics and many other industries. ADM and DuPont are taking the initial step in the process of bringing FDME to market by moving forward on the scale-up phase of the project. The two companies are planning to build an integrated 60 ton a year demonstration plant in Decatur, Illinois, which will provide potential customers with sufficient product quantities for testing and research.

One of the first polymers under development utilizing FDME is polytrimethylene furandicarboxylate (PTF), a polyester made from DuPont’s proprietary Bio-PDO (1,3-propanediol). PTF is a 100 percent renewable and recyclable polymer that, when used to make bottles and other beverage packages, has been shown to improve gas barrier properties compared to other polyesters.

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

‘We are excited about the potential FDME has to help our customers reach new markets and develop better performing products, all made from sustainable, bio-based starting materials,’ said Kevin Moore, president of renewable chemicals at ADM. ‘With their strong leadership in the biomaterials industry, DuPont is a great partner that can help us bring this product to market for our customers.’