On October 10, 2024, Avantium of the Netherlands signed a conditional supply agreement with U.S.-based packaging manufacturer Plastipak, which uses Avantium-supplied bioplastics of polyethylene furanate (PEF) for food and beverage packaging for the North American market.
Plastipak is a global leader in the design and manufacture of high-quality rigid plastic containers for the food, beverage and consumer goods industries, and the company supplies containers and packaging products to many of the world's largest consumer goods companies. Avantium is preparing to open a demonstration plant for the production of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) from sugar in Delfzijl, the Netherlands; PEF is obtained through the catalytic reaction of FDCA with biobased glycols. And PEF has recently been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in food contact articles. Plastipak has demonstrated the performance of PEF in the production of single and multi-layer bottles, providing good barrier properties and extending the shelf life of beverages. Higher mechanical strength saves material, while reduced processing temperatures translate into lower energy consumption. In addition to single-layer applications, PEF can be used in combination with PET to improve the barrier performance of multilayer packaging when a single layer is not sufficient. From an environmental perspective, PEF is a bio-based polyester that is not biodegradable but is recyclable in the PET packaging management loop. It is included in the American Association of Recyclers APR's Key Guidance Protocol for evaluating recyclability in plastic packaging design.
