Stora Enso and Kolon Industries partner on biobased FDCA

In Sweden, Stora Enso and Kolon Industries have signed a Joint Development Agreement to develop biobased polyesters and downstream applications, as well as renewable binder resin formulations for applications such as packaging, car tire reinforcements, and films for electronics, panels and displays.

The development work will combine Stora Enso’s FuraCore® process for converting fructose into furandicarboxylic acid with 5-hydroxymethylfurfural as an intermediate. The partnership will also leverage Stora Enso’s expertise in the packaging industry and Kolon Industries’ expertise in polyester and phenolic resin development and manufacturing for a range of applications.

“This partnership is significant in that it enables the solidification of the foundation for building a new bioplastics ecosystem. We will continue to accelerate the development of sustainable polymer technologies for a greener environment,” says Sung Han, CTO of Kolon Group.

FDCA is the key building block for biobased plastics such as polyethylene furanoate, which is widely considered to be a promising alternative to petrochemically derived packaging material, technical films, and renewable textiles.