Furfural
Furfural is a chemical derived from the reaction of the pentosans in the sugarcane fibers with acid. The Bagasse from the sugarcane contains about 50% fiber and is therefore used for the production of Furfural, which is a by-product of the sugar cane extraction process. The furfural production plant was constructed by the Central Romana Corporation under the name Romana by-Products in 1955. In 1973, the company expanded its plant facilities, thereby allowing it to produce an annual production of 90 million pounds, making it the largest furfural production plant in the world.
Furfural has different uses, but the main ones are for the production of Furfuryl alcohol and as a solvent in the crude oil refineries.
With the purpose of guaranteeing the international trade of Furfural, the Central Romana Corporation acquired a chemical plant in Belgium in 1995. The chemical plant treats the furfural further producing furfuryl alcohol (FA). The Belgian company that produces the furfural alcohol is called TransFurans Chemicals (TFC) and the company that sells and distributes the product is called International Furan Chemicals (IFC), based in Holland. The company’s European operations employ over 200 people.
- Hierro Dominicano
- Promaco
- Romana Free zone
- Agrocarne