Used in the production of biofuels and renewable chemicals. Intermediate for manufacturing plastics resins solvents and pharmaceuticals. Applied in food chemistry as an indicator of heat processing in foods like honey juice and milk. Used in research related to green chemistry and biomass conversion.

The main purpose of HMF is to act as a renewable chemical building block for sustainable industrial products and bio-based materials.

5-(Hydroxymethyl)furfural commonly called HMF or 5-HMF is an organic compound formed by the dehydration of sugars such as glucose and fructose. It has the formula C6H6O3 and is considered an important biomass-derived platform chemical. Produced from carbohydrates and sugars during heating or processing.