For 50 years, we have been producing basic chemicals from renewable raw materials. Our chemistry is based on agricultural waste products and is a good example of a proven sustainable business.
Products
Our process starts with the pentosan-rich waste fraction left over after processing agricultural crops. An example is bagasse, the woody stem waste left over after sugar production from sugarcane. Bagasse is a valuable high-energy source for furan chemicals. At our plant in Belgium, we use these chemicals to polymerise into polyfurfuryl alcohol (PFA or Poly-FA).
Poly-FA is a liquid thermoset available in a wide viscosity range. Curing creates a hard, stiff and highly cross-linked polymer with unique properties at high temperatures. This polymer is an ideal matrix for the production of fire-resistant fibre-reinforced plastics.