100% plant-based PEF used for circular fruit juice bottles

Avantium’s 100% plant-based and full recyclable polyethylene furanoate (PEF) is used for Albert Heijn’s new fruit juice bottle, produced by Refresco, the global beverage solutions provider. Albert Heijn is the first supermarket chain in the world to introduce PEF packaging for own-brand products.

Avantium’s PEF is produced through the company’s most advanced technology – YXY Technology, which catalytically converts plant-based sugars into furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), the key building block for PEF.

Apart from its sustainable packaging benefits, Avantium’s PEF offers superior barrier properties, extending shelf life of beverages and food. It fits a wide range of applications including bottles and packaging, films and textiles.

Marit van Egmond (left), CEO of Albert Heijn, and Tom van Aken, CEO of Avantium.

Marit van Egmond, CEO of Albert Heijn, commented that with the mission “Together we make eating better the easy choice. For everyone.”, one of the company’s goal is to make packaging more sustainable. The use of fossil-free materials is high on the wish list.

Avantium successfully demonstrated YXY Technology at its pilot plant in Geleen, the Netherlands.

The company has constructed the world’s first commercial plant in Delfzijl for 5 kilotons of FDCA, with commercial production expected to start in the second half of 2024. After that, PEF production will be further scaled up to plants of 100 kilotons and more for large-scale production of FDCA and PEF through technology licensing.

“With Albert Heijn as a partner, Avantium can further scale up and expand the PEF value chain to meet the growing global demand for circular and renewable material solutions,” said Tom van Aken, CEO of Avantium.