Furfural and furanics (FDCA): Production
China's dominance and Avantium's long road to FDCA
China's dominance and Avantium's long road to FDCA What this tab covers Who makes it and how much: world capacity and output, utilisation, the top producing countries and companies globally and in India, concentration, new capacity coming, and each region's position.| Measure | Figure | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| World capacity | not published for furfural; FDCA 5 kt/yr at Avantium Delfzijl | Avantium; indicative | |
| World output | China furfural about 450 kt and furfuryl alcohol about 320 kt (2023, indicative) | Teenablog China Furfural and Furfuryl Alcohol Market summary (indicative) | |
| Capacity utilisation | not published | Chinese plants are seasonal and swing with environmental inspections and corncob supply (indicative). | indicative |
| Concentration | China dominant; top-five company share not published | Outside China, a few sugar-mill and wood-pulp integrated producers. | IMARC 2025; Teenablog |
| New capacity | Avantium Delfzijl 5 kt FDCA (first batch Sep 2026); possible larger licensed plants later | Avantium raised about EUR 11.2 million in equity after construction and said the earlier timeline was 'no longer achievable' (Packaging Insights). Origin Materials, another furanic (CMF) developer, scaled back its second-plant plans (indicative). | Avantium Jan 2026; Packaging Insights; indicative |
Top producing countries
- China: about 450 kt (2023, indicative); Hongye, Linzi Organic, Shandong Crownchem
- Dominican Republic: Central Romana (bagasse-based)
- South Africa: Illovo Sugar (ABF), bagasse-based
- Europe (Belgium, Italy, Slovenia, Austria): TransFurans, Silvateam, Tanin Sevnica, Lenzing
- India and Iran: KRBL (India), Behran Oil (Iran)
Largest producers: global
| Company | Country | Volume | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hongye Holding Group large Chinese furfural and furfuryl alcohol producer | China | not published | n/a | IMARC key players |
| TransFurans Chemicals furfuryl alcohol and furan resins | Belgium | not published | n/a | IMARC key players |
| Central Romana bagasse-based furfural | Dominican Republic | not published | n/a | IMARC key players |
| Illovo Sugar (ABF) bagasse-based furfural | South Africa | not published | n/a | IMARC key players |
| Lenzing furfural from wood pulping liquors | Austria | not published | n/a | IMARC key players |
| Silvateam | Italy | not published | n/a | IMARC key players |
| Avantium construction finished Oct 2024; titanium weld remediation added EUR 7 million capex; first FDCA batch 28 Sep 2026; commercial sales expected from end-2026 and about 24 months to reach design capacity (Avantium, 7 Sep 2026) | Netherlands | 5 kt/yr FDCA | 2026 | Avantium newsroom, Jan and Sep 2026 |
Largest producers: India
| Company | Country | Volume | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KRBL rice company listed as a furfural player; capacity not verified | India | not published | n/a | IMARC key players |
India has small furfural production from rice husk and bagasse (indicative); KRBL is the listed name in IMARC. India's large rice husk, bagasse and maize cob resources are under-used for furfural. No FDCA activity found.
Position by region
| Region | Position |
|---|---|
| US | Furfural prices $1,375-1,638/t in 2025-2026 (IMARC); Pennakem makes furan derivatives. |
| EU | Highest furfural prices ($2,000-2,500/t in Germany, 2026, IMARC); Avantium FDCA in the Netherlands; PEF supported by EU Bio-based Industries projects (PEFerence). |
| India | Small furfural base; imports for foundry resins (indicative). |
| China | Dominant producer and exporter; environmental inspections can close small plants (indicative). |
| Japan | Lowest of IMARC's quoted prices ($1,112-1,346/t, 2025-2026). |
| Middle East | Behran Oil (Iran) uses furfural for lube refining. |