Furfural

Silvateam produces furfural in its manufacturing plant at La Escondida in Argentina.

Furfural is a clear, yellowish liquid with a characteristic odour of almonds which is obtained as a byproduct from the production of quebracho extract. The wood residue, rich in pentosans, is subjected to acid hydrolysis under a specific pressure and temperature to obtain furfural that is then distilled to a purity of 98.5%.

Furfural is used in the petroleum industry as a solvent in the refining of lubricating oils. It is also used in the following applications:

• Precursor for furfuryl alcohol and tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol

• Solvent in the refining of lubrication oil

• Solvent for anthracene and resins

• Distillation of butadiene

• Marker for heating oil

• Herbicide production

Furfural is shipped in the following forms: tanker trucks, metal drums of 250 kg, tanks of 1,000 kg, isotanks respectively of 21 - 25 tonnes and sea-river tankers (300 - 400 tonnes). The containers are made of steel and in an atmosphere of inert nitrogen gas (N2) which are oxygen-free to prevent oxidation during transport.