How 2 5-Furandicarboxylic Acid Is Used and Dissolved in Industry

September 08, 2025 at 13:08 PM EDT

2 5-Furandicarboxylic Acid: Definition and Industrial Significance

Chemical Properties and Structure

You work with 2 5-Furandicarboxylic acid as a renewable compound derived from biomass, featuring a furan ring with carboxyl groups at the 2 and 5 positions. This unique structure gives the molecule high reactivity, especially in catalytic oxidation and polymer synthesis. Industrial processes often use liquid-phase catalytic oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) with a Co–Mn–Br catalyst system. You control reaction parameters like catalyst concentration, temperature, and solvent composition to optimize yield and prevent catalyst deactivation. The rigid furan ring in 2 5-Furandicarboxylic acid increases the glass transition temperature and thermal stability of resulting polymers, making them suitable for demanding applications.

Tip: The furan ring and carboxylic acid groups in 2 5-Furandicarboxylic acid enable selective oxidation under mild conditions, which is critical for large-scale synthesis and efficient polymer production.

specification

Product name	2,5-Furandicarboxylic acid
CAS	3238-40-2
Appearance	White Crystalline or Powder
Purity	99%Min
Package	1 kg/bag or 25 kg/bag

FDCA CAS 3238-40-2

Role in Sustainable Manufacturing

You help reduce your facility’s carbon footprint by choosing 2 5-Furandicarboxylic acid for bio-based polymer production. Unlike petroleum-based alternatives, this compound comes from renewable plant sugars, lowering fossil fuel dependence and greenhouse gas emissions. The manufacturing process uses milder reaction conditions, which decreases energy consumption and aligns with green chemistry principles.

Environmental Benefit	FDCA (Bio-based)	Petroleum-based Alternatives
Raw Material Source	Renewable biomass	Non-renewable petroleum
Energy Consumption	Lower	Higher
Carbon Footprint	Reduced	Higher
Environmental Impact	Less pollution	Significant pollution
Sustainability	Supports renewable	Relies on finite resources

You support a transition to a low-carbon economy and promote sustainable, circular manufacturing systems by adopting FDCA-based materials. These choices contribute to long-term environmental health and regulatory compliance.

Industrial Uses of 2 5-Furandicarboxylic Acid

Industrial Uses of 2 5-Furandicarboxylic Acid

Bio-Based Polymers and Plastics (PEF)

You see the most significant impact of 2 5-Furandicarboxylic acid in the production of bio-based polymers, especially polyethylene furanoate (PEF). PEF stands out as a renewable alternative to PET, offering you several advantages in packaging and sustainability. When you use PEF, you benefit from:

● Higher gas barrier properties for oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor compared to PET.

● Suitability for packaging applications such as bottles, films, and food trays.

● A 100% recyclable, non-toxic, and bio-based polymer made by polymerizing FDCA with ethylene glycol.

● Superior thermo-chemical, mechanical, and recyclability properties over PET and PBT.

● Significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and non-renewable energy use when you replace PTAwith FDCA in PEF production.

Specialty Chemicals, Surfactants, and Resins

You also use 2 5-Furandicarboxylic acid as a building block for specialty chemicals and resins. This compound enables you to produce a wide range of bio-based polymers, including polyamides, polycarbonates, plasticizers, and polyester polyols. These materials serve industries such as automotive, textiles, electronics, and consumer goods.

● Polyamides made from FDCA offer you strong mechanical properties and thermal stability, making them suitable for engineering plastics and automotive parts.

● Polycarbonates and polyester polyols derived from FDCA provide you with specialty polymers for coatings, adhesives, and foams.

● Plasticizers based on FDCA help you enhance polymer flexibility in various applications.

Application Type	Description
PET (PEF)	Bio-based polyester for sustainable packaging, especially bottles
Polyamides	Engineering plastics, textiles, automotive parts
Polycarbonates	Specialty polymers for diverse applications
Plasticizers	Enhance polymer flexibility
Polyester Polyols	Used in polyurethanes and resins

You gain several advantages by choosing FDCA-based polymers over traditional raw materials:

Advantage Category	Description
Sustainability	FDCA is bio-based and renewable, derived from non-food biomass like corncobs and sawdust.
Environmental Impact	Supports carbon reduction policies and reduces reliance on petroleum-based raw materials.
Performance of Polymers	FDCA-based polymers show superior heat resistance, mechanical strength, and gas barrier properties.
Versatility in Polymer Types	You can replace terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, and bisphenol A in polyesters, polyamides, and resins.
Recyclability	FDCA-based polymers are more sustainable and recyclable than traditional petroleum-based polymers.

Tip: The chemical segment, including specialty chemicals and resins, dominates FDCA applications with a 56.7% market share in 2024. Packaging, automotive, textiles, and electronics are the main end-use sectors.

Fire Extinguisher Foams and Emerging Applications

You find that 2 5-Furandicarboxylic acid is gaining attention in new and emerging applications. Researchers and manufacturers explore its use in fire extinguisher foams, where you need environmentally friendly and effective alternatives to traditional agents. FDCA-based foams can offer you improved biodegradability and reduced toxicity, aligning with stricter environmental regulations.

You also see ongoing research into using FDCA in advanced materials, such as:

● High-performance composites for automotive and aerospace industries.

● Biodegradable plastics for single-use items.

● Specialty coatings and adhesives with enhanced durability.

You notice that the market for FDCA is expanding rapidly. Packaging remains the largest sector, but you see strong growth in textiles, automotive, consumer goods, and electronics. The global market size is projected to grow from USD 480 million in 2023 to USD 1,980 million by 2032.

Note: As you adopt FDCA-based materials, you support a shift toward sustainable, circular manufacturing systems and help meet evolving regulatory and consumer demands.

2 5-Furandicarboxylic Acid Solubility and Industrial Handling

2 5-Furandicarboxylic Acid Solubility and Industrial Handling

Solubility in Water and Organic Solvents

You often face challenges when dissolving 2 5-Furandicarboxylic acid in industrial settings. This compound shows low solubility in pure water, which can limit its direct use in aqueous processes. You can dramatically improve solubility by using organic solvents or solvent blends. For example, mixing water with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), tetrahydrofuran (THF), or gamma-valerolactone (GVL) increases FDCA solubility by up to 190 times compared to pure water. Methanol and ethanol also provide high solubility, making them popular choices for laboratory and pilot-scale work.

Solvent System	Temperature (K)	FDCA Solubility (wt %)	Notes on Solubility Parameter Correlation
Pure Water	293	~0.2	Low solubility; baseline for comparison
Pure DMSO	293	Higher than water	Used in blends to enhance solubility
20/80 w/w H2O/DMSO	293	23.1	190x solubility increase vs pure water
20/80 w/w H2O/THF	293	~12	60x solubility increase vs pure water
20/80 w/w H2O/GVL	303	2.4	10x increase over pure water
Acetic Acid (AA)	323	0.09	Lower than pure water at same T
Acetonitrile (ACN)	323	0.04	Lower than pure water at same T
40/60 w/w H2O/AA	323	0.70	~2x increase over pure components
39/61 w/w H2O/ACN	323	2.5	Significant increase over pure components
Pure Methanol (MeOH)	293	High solubility	Among highest in pure solvents
Pure Ethanol (EtOH)	293	High solubility	Similar to MeOH

FAQWhat makes 2 5-Furandicarboxylic acid important for sustainable plastics?

You choose 2 5-Furandicarboxylic acid because it comes from renewable sources. It helps you create bio-based plastics with lower carbon footprints and improved barrier properties.

How do you improve the solubility of 2 5-Furandicarboxylic acid in industrial processes?

You increase solubility by using solvent blends like water with DMSO or THF. Raising the temperature also helps you dissolve it more efficiently.

Can you recycle polymers made from 2 5-Furandicarboxylic acid?

Yes, you can recycle these polymers. They offer you better recyclability than many petroleum-based plastics, supporting your circular manufacturing goals.

Media Contact
Company Name: Shanghai Starsky New Material Co., Ltd.
Email: Send Email
Phone: +86 13162192651
Country: China
Website: https://www.starskychemical.com/

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How 2 5-Furandicarboxylic Acid Is Used and Dissolved in Industry

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