Niobic acid (Nb2O5 center dot nH(2)O) was immobilized on regenerated cellulose (Re-Cellulose) to afford a heterogeneous catalyst, termed Nb2O5 center dot nH(2)O@Re-Cellulose, that was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, microscopy (SEM and TEM) and spectroscopic (Raman and FTIR) techniques. The surface acidity of the catalyst was determined using FTIR spectroscopy employing pyridine as a molecular probe. The Nb2O5 center dot nH(2)O@Re-Cellulose catalyst was investigated in the conversion of glucose into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in aqueous media. The catalyst can be reused several times without undergoing a significant loss in activity.