Avantium (Amsterdam, The Netherlands) has released life cycle assessment (LCA) data for its bottles made from PEF (polyethylene furanoate): a plant-based, fully recyclable plastic material with excellent performance. nova-Institut GmbH recently completed an ISO-certified LCA to assess the potential environmental impact of single-layer PEF and multi-layer PET/PEF bottles for potential environmental impact.
Depending on the application chosen, a significant improvement in the carbon footprint of approximately 35% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions can be achieved compared to existing fossil-based PET bottle designs. This is also combined with the biological nature of the emissions (from renewable carbon) released by the PEF bottle at the end of its useful life, which does not additionally contribute to global warming.
Once PEF is commercialized, economic, technical and environmental optimization in the value chain is expected to be significantly improved, further reducing its environmental impact. The use of renewable raw materials (high fructose syrup from wheat) in PEF can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout the life cycle compared to fossil-based PET bottle solutions.
The second driver of the reduced carbon footprint of PEF bottles is the improved barrier and mechanical properties of PEF, which can result in a significant reduction in material use compared to PET bottles. For single-layer PEF bottles, this reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 33%, compared to 37% for multi-layer PEF/PET bottles.
In addition, because all plants absorb carbon as they grow, PEF-based products have the inherent advantage of temporary storage of carbon dioxide. At the end of the useful life of PEF-based products (i.e., when the PEF cannot be recycled and is burned), this biological carbon re-enters the natural carbon cycle, while fossil-based plastics release carbon at the end of their use - locked underground for millions of years of life, adding to the total amount of carbon in the atmosphere. Considering this short-term carbon storage, some non-EU companies report carbon negative climate change results for their bio-based materials. The European LCA standards and methods do not allow for carbon discounts based on temporary storage, so this is not included in this LCA.
This LCA study is the basis for assessing the sustainability advantages of Avantium's current PEF application. It allows the identification and quantification of further technology developments, as well as opportunities for value chain improvements. Further improvements may include the use of renewable energy sources, different raw material sources, process optimization and recycling of PEF.
For example, in this LCA, the current energy mix in the Netherlands is assessed, where the share of renewable energy is still very low. It is foreseen that in the near future the use of renewable heat and electricity will become the norm. Recent energy optimization work on industrial-scale FDCA plants has shown that energy consumption can be significantly reduced, leading to further improvements in LCA. In addition, this LCA study still assumes that PEF will initially end up in an open-loop recovery stream with relatively low recovery rates. Sufficient market growth will allow for a separate closed-loop material recovery stream with high efficiency. The PEF process is expected to become more efficient both in terms of energy integration and realized yield. When these factors are realized, additional greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental benefits will be realized. Once these improvements are realized, Avantium will conduct another LCA study. in terms of energy integration and realized yield. When these factors are realized, additional greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental benefits will be realized. Once these improvements are realized, Avantium will conduct another LCA study. In terms of energy integration and realized yields. When these factors are realized, additional greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental benefits will be realized. Once these improvements are realized, Avantium will conduct another LCA study.
Ed de Jong, Vice President of Development and Head of LCA for PEF applications at Avantium: "This LCA study clearly confirms the reduced carbon footprint of PEF bottles compared to existing fossil-based bottles. We are confident that the move to full industrial scale for PEF from 2024 onwards will lead to further significant reductions in the carbon footprint of PEF applications, as well as in other areas such as flexible packaging and apparel."
Avantium conducted this complete cradle-to-grave LCA study of PEF bottles in cooperation with nova-Institut GmbH in the framework of the PEFerence project. The entire life cycle of a PEF bottle was evaluated, from the extraction or cultivation of the raw material to the production, use and disposal of the product. All relevant environmental factors of FDCA and PEF production were analyzed. PET bottles were modeled using Ecoinvent data for bottle grade PET production, available from the latest ecological profile of the European plastics industry. lCA was carried out according to the ISO 14040/44 standard methodology and based on engineering data from the first commercialization phase of Avantium's production of PEF technology.
