Albert Heijn will use Avantium’s 100% plant-based PEF to package its brand of products
Avantium’s PEF is a 100% plant-based and fully recyclable polymer with many applications, including bottles and packaging, films, and textiles. In addition to its sustainable packaging benefits, Avantium’s PEF has superior barrier properties, extending the shelf life of beverages and food.
Avantium is currently constructing the world’s first commercial plant in Delfzijl for five kilotons of FDCA (furandicarboxylic acid), the critical building block for PEF, with commercial production expected to start in the second half of 2024. After that, PEF production will be scaled up to 100 kilotons, and more plants will be added for large-scale production of FDCA and PEF through technology licensing.
Tom van Aken, CEO of Avantium, is pleased with the partnership with Albert Heijn: “We are proud that Albert Heijn is the first supermarket chain to start using PEF for packaging. With Albert Heijn as a partner, Avantium can expand the PEF value chain to fulfill the growing global demand for circular and renewable material solutions. The materials transition is about ensuring that consumers can access sustainable and innovative products commercially.”
Marit van Egmond, CEO of Albert Heijn, adds: “From the mission ‘Together we make eating better the easy choice. For everyone.’ Albert Heijn wants to pass on a liveable earth to future generations. To make that possible, one of our goals is to make packaging more sustainable. Besides packaging reduction, recyclability, and reuse, fossil-free materials are high on our wish list. With the use of PEF, we are giving substance to this.”
Alexander van Assouw, Managing Director Refresco Benelux: “As a beverage solutions provider, we continuously seek innovative ways to produce soft, fruit juices and other drinks. Reducing, recycling, and making packaging more sustainable is an important element of our strategy. With PEF, we can offer our customers an alternative sustainable packaging solution. Therefore, We are pleased that Refresco, Avantium, and Albert Heijn are working to bring this new fruit juice bottle to market.”
