Avantium delays operational start of FDCA plant, costs rise by millions

Avantium’s operational start of its furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) flagship plant in Delfzijl, Netherlands, has been delayed due to construction-related issues. The hold up is expected to cost an additional €7 million (US$7.6 million) in capital expenditure. 

Avantium’s YXY Technology catalytically converts plant-based sugars into FDCA, which is important for the production of PEF plastic. 

The plant is now expected to start up by mid-2026, with product sales beginning in the second half of the year. 

During commissioning, the company identified construction-related piping issues involving titanium welds, requiring additional work to ensure a “safe and reliable start up”. 

Hero de Jager, interim chief operating officer at Avantium, says: “We are taking all necessary measures to ensure a safe, reliable, and high-quality start up of the FDCA Flagship Plant.”

“With the weld repair program underway and commissioning progressing well across all parts of the plant, we have a clear plan to complete start up by mid-2026. This will enable us to begin commercial product sales in the second half of 2026.”

The circular polymer company explains that the sugar dehydration unit is already operational, and work is now focused on starting up the oxidation and purification units.

After delays adding €7 million (US$7.6 million) in costs, the facility is set to start up in mid-2026.After additional inspections of the titanium welds, Avantium notes that the issue required more remediation work than expected and that the planned timeline was “no longer achievable.” Avantium is assessing its contractual and legal options to potentially secure compensation for the unexpected costs and delays.

Scaling bioplastic tech

Avantium’s YXY Technology catalytically converts plant-based sugars into FDCA, which is important for the production of PEF plastic. 

Avantium completed construction of the FDCA Flagship Plant in October 2024. Two months later, it raised €11.2 million (US$11.8 million) through an accelerated bookbuild that offered six million new ordinary shares in the company, representing approximately 8% of Avantium’s issued share capital.

Dr. Gert-Jan Gruter, chief technology officer at Avantium, told Packaging Insights that the shift to renewable alternatives in the plastics industry is “sluggish” due to research and investment into the wrong polymers. 

He explained that the transition to bioplastics depends on two factors: “companies must offer environmentally friendly products, and consumers must be willing to adopt and purchase them.”