The development of recyclable and fossil fuel-free materials is a shared objective between Pangaia and Avantium in support of the fashion industry’s sustainability initiatives.
Constructed in Delfzijl, the Netherlands, Avantium’s “world-first” commercial FDCA Flagship Plant will create Polyethylene Furanoate (PEF), which is derived from Furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA). It is projected that large-scale production will start in the second half of 2024.
PEF from Avantium is reportedly a flexible polymer that finds use in films, textiles, bottles, and packaging, among other things.
The company stated that, with a specific eye towards the fashion industry, it has increased its focus on creating PEF for fibres and yarns during the past year.
PET fibre, which will account for 54% of the world’s fibre production in 2021 (60.5 million tonnes), may be replaced by PEF-based fibres.
PEF presents itself as a scalable sustainable substitute for PET made from fossil fuels, and it is said to be compatible with the current infrastructure for the manufacture and recycling of polyester.
