GLOBAL FURANDICARBOXYLIC ACID MARKET SIZE AND SHARE ANALYSIS - GROWTH TRENDS AND FORECASTS (2024-2031)

Global furandicarboxylic acid market size is expected to reach US$ 66.9 Bn by 2031 from US$ 8.61 Bn in 2024 exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 34% during the forecast period. Furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) is an organic compound that has potential applications as a replacement for terephthalic acid in the production of polyester polymers and other materials. FDCA can be synthesized through the oxidation of the furan ring of the biomass-derived compound hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). There are two main isomers of FDCA - the cis isomer and trans isomer. The trans-FDCA isomer is of greater industrial interest due to its higher crystallinity and melting point compared to the cis isomer.

FDCA as a building block for polymers holds several advantages over current petroleum-based alternatives. Production of FDCA from renewable feedstocks such as corn or sugarcane means polymers that are made from it can be more sustainable. FDCA-based polyesters also have properties comparable or even superior to traditional polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). For example, polymers which are produced from FDCA have higher glass transition temperatures, melting points, and hydrolytic stability. This makes them suitable for applications that require durability in hot and humid conditions. However, FDCA production at an industrial scale remains a challenge and costs are currently higher than conventional monomers. Further research and process optimization is still needed to bring down FDCA manufacturing costs and facilitate its widespread adoption.

Global Furandicarboxylic Acid Market Regional Insights:

Europe: It represents the largest regional market for furandicarboxylic acid . The region accounts for over 45% of the global demand for this biobased dicarboxylic acid mainly due to strong polyester and polymer industries in the Germany, U.K. Major market players operating in these regional industries rely on furandicarboxylic acid as a key bio-derived monomer for producing bio-based polyesters and polymer products. This, in turn, is driving the growth of furandicarboxylic acid market in Europe.

North America: It represents the 25 % regional market for furandicarboxylic acid Stringent regulations regarding use of sustainable and eco-friendly raw materials in consumer goods and industrial manufacturing also supports the adoption of furandicarboxylic acid in North America. Major companies have announced investments to expand the production capacities of furandicarboxylic acid and related bio-based polyester materials, aiming to cater to the growing demand from domestic end use industries as well as for exports. North America has a strong presence of research institutions working on developing efficient production technologies for furandicarboxylic acid by using biomass-based routes, which is further propelling the regional market growth.

Asia Pacific: The Asia Pacific region has emerged as the fastest growing market for furandicarboxylic acid globally. Countries like China, India, Indonesia, and Thailand are witnessing substantial demand rise mainly from the expanding textiles and packaging industries in the region. Rapid industrialization along with increasing consumer disposable income has augmented the need for sustainable textiles and biodegradable packaging materials, using bio-based polyesters derived from furandicarboxylic acid.

In terms of imports, Asia Pacific countries have significantly increased their furandicarboxylic acid shipments to cater to the growing shortfall between regional demand and supply. This is positively impacting the overall trade flows for furandicarboxylic acid globally. Lucrative production economics along with supportive government policies promoting use of bio-based chemicals are some factors attracting major furandicarboxylic acid producers to boost their presence in Asia Pacific through new production facilities or import/distribution agreements.

Figure 1. Global Furandicarboxylic Acid Market Share (%), By Region, 2024

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Analyst Viewpoint:

The furandicarboxylic acid market holds strong potential for growth in the near future. As one of the most promising bio-based building blocks, FDCA can provide a sustainable alternative to oil-based adipic acid and terephthalic acid which are traditionally used in the production of polyesters. Growing consumer awareness about sustainability issues coupled with stringent government regulations mandating the use of bio-based materials will drive demand for FDCA-based products. Asia Pacific dominates FDCA production due to presence of leading manufacturers in China and Taiwan. However, Europe and North America are also anticipated to offer lucrative opportunities due to to rising research and development (R&D) activities pertaining to green chemicals.

Availability of economical FDCA production methods by using sustainable feedstocks like agricultural waste is key to faster commercialization. High costs that are associated with FDCA synthesis may deter its widespread adoption in the short term. Limited industrial scale production experience poses challenges. Competition from other bio-based alternatives and regulatory uncertainties pertaining to food versus fuel debate can also impact market prospects. Nevertheless, growing collaborative efforts between academia and industry to develop advanced production technologies are expected to address these barriers. The construction and automotive industries, in particular, present significant growth opportunities in the near future as FDCA finds increasing use in novel polymer formulations with enhanced properties.

Global Furandicarboxylic Acid Market Drivers:

Increasing demand from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic production: The demand for furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) is being driven significantly by its usage in the production of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic. PET plastic has been witnessing rising demand globally due to its increased utility in packaging foods and beverages. According to the United Nations Environment Program, the worldwide production of plastic has grown from 1.5 Mn tons in 1950 to over 380 Mn tons in 2019. A large portion of this is accounted by PET plastic.

As PET plastic production increases to meet demand, the need for FDCA as an alternative replacement for terephthalic acid which is traditionally used in PET production is also growing. FDCA can be derived from biomass sources such as agricultural waste and has potential to make PET production more sustainable. Several large PET manufacturers have begun research and pilot production of bio-based PET by using FDCA. For instance, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, the global PET market is expected to reach a value of 43.26 billion U.S. dollars by 2029, registering a CAGR of 3.2 % .

Growing applications in pharmaceutical industry: Furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) is increasingly being used in the pharmaceutical industry for developing novel drugs and formulations. FDCA acts as an important building block which can be used to replace petroleum-based feedstocks in drug manufacturing. The structure of FDCA is similar to adipic acid which is commonly used to make nylon, but FDCA is derived from renewable biomass like corn or sugarcane. Due to constraints on petroleum resources and a push for more sustainable practices, major drug companies are actively researching the potential of FDCA.

FDCA allows for creating bio-based alternatives to many existing drug substances. It can improve drug efficacy, solubility, and stability properties when used in formulations. FDA surveys show a rising number of investigational new drug applications citing FDCA as an excipient or active molecule since 2020. For instance, according to the  research published by the National Institutes of Health, in 2021, successful synthesis of FDCA-derived drug molecules that showed promise in treating conditions like type 2 diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases and certain cancers in early stage clinical trials.

Global Furandicarboxylic Acid Market Opportunities:

• Growth in demand for sustainable packaging solutions: The global shift towards sustainable and eco-friendly packaging is one of the largest trends in consumer goods today. Major corporations and consumers alike are increasingly conscious of the environmental impact of single-use plastics, and seeking alternatives that are biodegradable and carbon-neutral. This presents a massive opportunity for bio-based materials like furandicarboxylic acid that can replace petroleum-derived compounds in packaging. Furandicarboxylic acid allows the production of polyethylene furanoate, 100% renewable and recyclable polyester that has material properties comparable to oil-based polyethylene terephthalate commonly used in water bottles and food container. As awareness of sustainability issues rises, demand for bio-based packaging will undoubtedly grows. For instance, according to the survey by the European Commission, 2020, over 80% of Europeans say environmental protection is important to them when making purchasing decisions.
• Potential usage in various applications like solvents, coatings, and others.: Furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) offers numerous promising applications that could drive significant market growth in the years to come. As a building block chemical, FDCA allows for the production of various polymers and materials that are increasingly in demand. For example, FDCA can be used to produce polyethylene furanoate (PEF); a bio-based replacement for petroleum-derived polyethylene terephthalate (PET) used widely in plastic bottles and food packaging. Transitioning to more sustainable materials like PEF that are made from agricultural waste could help address mounting plastic waste issues. The United Nations Environment Program estimates 11 Mn metric tons of plastic enters our oceans each year, thereby causing tremendous environmental damage. PEF production by using FDCA may offer a viable solution to reduce plastic pollution worldwide. For instance, recent studies conducted by European Union (EU) commission and Imperial College London show FDCA polyester breaks down 1.7 times faster than conventional polyester when disposed in commercial / municipal composting facilities.

Global Furandicarboxylic Acid Market Trends:

Growing adoption of renewable chemicals in various industries: Growing adoption of renewable chemicals across various industries is positively impacting the demand for furandicarboxylic acid. More companies are focusing on developing sustainable and eco-friendly products made from renewable feedstocks and using bio-based materials. Furandicarboxylic acid is a promising platform chemical that can be produced through the hydrogenation of furan, which is formed by dehydration of sugars and carbohydrates.

Due to its unique properties, furandicarboxylic acid is a drop-in replacement for terephthalic acid, which is petroleum-based and widely used in the production of polyesters like polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Increasing preference for bio-based polymers from consumers and brands is driving several companies to explore furandicarboxylic acid as an alternative to terephthalic acid for manufacturing bio-PET. For instance, according to Coca-Cola's 2020 sustainability report, they are working towards making their entire packaging materials from recycled or renewable content by the same year. The Coca-Cola Company is a global beverage company with products sold in more than 200 countries and territories. It is a total beverage company with a portfolio of over 200 brands, including sparkling soft drinks, water, sports drinks, coffee, and tea. The company is committed to offering a wide range of drinks while driving sustainable solutions. It employs more than 700,000 people and is dedicated to positively impacting people's lives, communities, and the planet through various initiatives such as water replenishment, packaging recycling, and carbon emissions reductions across its value chain .

Increase in strategic partnerships and collaborations: The furandicarboxylic acid market has witnessed growing interest from partnerships and collaborations . FDCA is a promising building block for producing bioplastics and renewable polyesters that can potentially replace petroleum-based plastics. As the push for sustainable chemicals and materials accelerates, major companies are increasingly looking to cooperate and share resources to develop FDCA-based technologies.

Global Furandicarboxylic Acid Market Restrain:

High production cost: The high production cost of furandicarboxylic acid is one of the major factors restraining its market growth. Furandicarboxylic acid is produced through catalytic conversion of biomass-derived sugars like glucose or fructose. This production process involves multiple complex chemical reactions and separation steps by making it highly capital intensive. Setting up commercial scale manufacturing plants for furandicarboxylic acid requires huge investments in advanced production infrastructure and technologies. For instance, According to a case study published by the U.S. Department of Energy in 2020, the total expenditure on catalysts and separation was estimated to be around US$2 per kg of furandicarboxylic acid produced.

Counter balance: Subsidies and other forms of government support can help offset the high costs that are associated with new production processes. This may also include tariffs and trade policies that make sustainable raw materials more competitive. Company can also partnership with upstream raw material suppliers to secure stable, long-term raw material contracts at lower prices.

Limited availability of raw materials : Furandicarboxylic acid or FDCA is an important bio-based building block chemical that can be potentially used as a substitute for terephthalic acid which is used in the production of polyester fibers and plastics. However, limited availability of raw materials that are required for producing FDCA is proving to be a major growth restraining factor for this market. FDCA is mainly produced from the oxidation of furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid which in turn is derived from hexose sugars like glucose and fructose. Since these plant-based sugars come from agricultural feedstocks like corn or sugarcane, their availability is dependent on fluctuating harvests and crop yields each year. For instance, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, around 25-30% of global agricultural production is lost or wasted after harvesting every year between 2020-2023.

Counterbalance: Increasing raw material availability can be achieved by identifying raw material sourcing opportunities around the world, including in underutilized agricultural regions.

Continued investment in research and development activities may lead to the development of new applications for FDCA and its derivative products, thereby expanding the market potential.

Recent Developments:

• In December 2021, Avantium achieved a significant milestone by obtaining financing of US$ 100 Mn for the development of a furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) production plant in Delfzijl, Netherlands. This financial boost enabled Avantium to advance its objectives to set up this facility, expected to be a key player in FDCA production.
• Avantium is a chemical technology company that develops and commercializes innovative technologies for the production of bio-based plastic and chemical products .The company is a frontrunner in developing and commercializing innovative chemistry technologies in order to produce chemicals and materials based on renewable sources. Avantium's renewable chemistry business leverages YXY technology to develop and commercialize products that are utilized as building blocks for materials such as plastic bottles for beverages, films for food packaging and electronics, coatings, fibers for textiles, and engineering plastics.
• Furandicarboxylic acid is an organic chemical compound and a derivative of oxidized furan subsidiary. It is also known as 2 ,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) and consists of two carboxylic acid groups attached to the central ring .
• Synvina, a joint venture of BASF and Avantium, focuses on creating bio-based chemicals, specifically FDCA (2, 5-Furandicarboxylic Acid), enabling the production of biobased plastics like PEF (polyethylene furanoate), contributing to sustainable solutions in packaging and other industries. Avantium is a leading chemical technology company and a forerunner in renewable chemistry, with a focus on developing efficient processes and sustainable products made from biobased materials, including the innovative YXY technology. The collaboration between BASF and Avantium represents a significant step towards the commercialization of bio-based chemicals and materials, contributing to the shift towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly products .

Figure 2. Global Furandicarboxylic Acid  Market Share (%), By Application, 2024

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Top Companies in the Global Furandicarboxylic Acid  Market :

• Tokyo Chemical Industry Co. Ltd.
• Chemsky (shanghai) International Co. Ltd,
• Avantium
• Synbias Pharma
• V & V Pharma Industries
• Carbone Scientific

Definition: Furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) is an organic chemical compound consisting of two carboxylic acid groups that are attached to a central furan ring. It can be produced from certain carbohydrates and as such is a renewable resource. It was identified by the U.S. Department of Energy as one of 12 priority chemicals for establishing the “green” chemistry industry of the future, Furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid (FDCA) has been suggested as an important renewable building block because it can substitute for terephthalic acid (PTA) in the production of polyesters and other current polymers containing an aromatic moiety.