The commissioning of the purification unit follows the previously announced start-up of the utility systems and sugar dehydration unit, and the commissioning of the oxidation unit. Avantium is now continuing integrated start-up activities and preparing for the first production of FDCA at the Plant.
Hero de Jager, interim Chief Operations Officer of Avantium: "The commissioning of the purification unit is an important step in the start-up of our FDCA Flagship Plant. Having completed commissioning across all major process units, our focus now shifts to the production of the first batches of FDCA. We remain committed to the safe and successful start-up of the plant and to commencing commercial deliveries under our existing offtake agreements as planned."
For the remainder of 2026, Avantium will focus on full FDCA Flagship Plant start-up, production of the first batches of FDCA, completion of qualification activities and preparation for commercial sales under existing offtake agreements, which are expected to commence at the end of 2026, subject to successful start-up and product qualification. Successful completion of the start-up is expected to provide commercial-scale validation of Avantium's FDCA technology and support the advancement of licensing discussions. The company continues to expect ramp-up to full design capacity to take place over a period of approximately 24 months following start-up.