Amsterdam-based Avantium, a company specialising in sustainable chemistry technologies, on Tuesday, October 22, celebrated the Official Opening Ceremony of its FDCA (furandicarboxylic acid) Flagship Plant in Delfzijl, the Netherlands.
It is the first factory to produce bioplastic PEF, which can be used for bottles, packaging, and clothing, among other things.
The plant opening was officiated by Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands in the presence of (intern)national and local dignitaries, partners, and Avantium employees.
The grand opening event, which was held adjacent to the FDCA plant, was attended by approximately 300 guests from the Netherlands and abroad.
Avantium CEO Tom van Aken comments, “Today marks the dawn of a new era for Avantium and the future of sustainable plastics. Our new FDCA plant embodies our commitment to innovation and sustainability. We are excited to lead the way in producing Releaf, a material that offers a viable alternative to traditional petroleum-based plastics. This plant is not just a testament to our technological advancements but also to our dedication to creating long-term, sustainable value for all our stakeholders. We will now commence the start-up of the FDCA Flagship Plant, introduce Releaf products to the market, and expedite the rollout of our FDCA/PEF licensing strategy.”
In the world’s first commercial plant, the company will produce 5 kilotons of FDCA (furandicarboxylic acid), the essential building block for 100 per cent plant-based and circular plastic PEF (polyethylene furanoate), known under the brand name Releaf.
Avantium’s Releaf is a revolutionary material set to transform the plastics industry, with versatile applications including bottles, packaging, films, and textiles.
The announcement comes a few days after securing €3.5M grant from the EU Horizon Europe programme.
Avantium: Commercialising innovative chemistry technologies
Founded in 2000 by Claude Stoufs, Avantium is a commercial-stage company specialising in renewable and circular polymer materials. It develops and commercialises technologies to produce materials from sustainable carbon feedstocks, such as biomass and CO2.
Its leading YXY Technology converts plant-based sugars into FDCA (furandicarboxylic acid), the key component of the sustainable plastic PEF.
Avantium has demonstrated this technology at its pilot plant in Geleen, Netherlands.
The company also offers R&D solutions in sustainable chemistry and catalyst testing. Listed on Euronext Amsterdam and Euronext Brussels, Avantium collaborates globally to create renewable chemistry solutions.
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