Polyethylene Furanoate – PEF, a 100 % bio-based alternative to the polyethylene terephthalate (PET)

The Dutch company Avantium has introduced a method called YXY® to convert plant-based sugars into a fully recyclable 100% plant-based biopolymer, polyethylene Furanoate. The outcome is a 100 % bio-based, sustainable, recyclable, and degradable polymer that combines environmental features with superior performance compared to PET. 

Polyethylene Furanoate – PEF has outstanding functional benefits, such as exceptional barrier properties complementing the sustainability advantages. PEF’s oxygen barrier is ten times better than PET’s, and its CO² barrier is sixteen times better. It not only leads to more extended shelf life but also maximizes the flavor and fizziness of the soft drink.

It has higher mechanical strength and a 12 °C heat resistance than PET.

Avantium is now creating the world’s first commercial plant to make FDCA (furandicarboxylic acid) from plant-based sugars in Delfzijl, The Netherlands. 

FDCA is the crucial ingredient for producing the plant-based, highly recyclable polymer material PEF, which has outstanding performance compared to widely used petroleum-based packaging materials. Avantium hopes to open this FDCA Flagship Plant by the end of 2023, allowing the commercial launch of PEF from 2024 onwards.

Ray Technology™ is a highly efficient process that converts plant-based sugars into Ray plantMEG™. It is an important chemical building block for PET or PEF resin for bottles and packaging; fibers for apparel, furniture, and automotive; and solvents (e.g., paint and coatings) and coolants. Avantium is scaling up Ray Technology™, and the demonstration plant in Delfzijl, the Netherlands, completed start-up and commissioning in 2020.

Surprisingly History Facts of Paper Bottle and FFS Machine– John Van Wormer (1856 – 1942)