Furfural

Furfural (CAS 98-01-1), also known as 2-Furfuraldehyde, is a bio-based aldehyde derived from agricultural byproducts such as corn cobs, oat hulls, and sugarcane bagasse. In industry, it functions as a flavoring agent and a platform chemical for producing downstream derivatives used across food, fragrance, and specialty chemical sectors.

In food and beverage, it contributes caramel, almond, and bread-like notes to flavor formulations, recognized under FEMA 2489 for use in approved concentrations. Fragrance formulators incorporate it into compositions targeting warm, baked, or woody scent profiles for personal care products including creams, lotions, and hair care.

It also serves as a selective solvent in petroleum refining for separating aromatic from aliphatic hydrocarbons, which represents a major industrial consumption route. Furfural is further used as a chemical intermediate in the production of furfuryl alcohol, tetrahydrofuran, and furan resins applied in foundry binders and adhesives.

The product is supplied as a liquid, typically in drums, intermediate bulk containers, and bulk tankers for large-volume buyers across various industrial sectors. Standard commercial grades include technical grade and refined grades meeting food and flavor industry purity requirements and regional flavor regulations.