Avantium, Tereos, and LVMH have joined forces to establish a new consortium aimed at accelerating the industrial-scale production of polyethylene furanoate (PEF), a polymer derived from plant-based feedstocks. This collaboration is set to contribute significantly to the development of sustainable materials in the industry.
Operating under the name Releaf, the innovative polymer is intended for various applications, including fashion and industrial fibers. The consortium plans to create a European facility dedicated to producing PEF and related polymers, utilizing Avantium’s proprietary YXY Technology, which converts renewable plant materials into furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), a vital component in the production of PEF.
The partnership is designed to leverage Tereos’ expertise in plant-based feedstocks in conjunction with Avantium’s advanced technology. Demand for PEF will be supported by partners like LVMH’s Gaïa, as the consortium’s strategy not only seeks to establish the first industrial-scale PEF production site in Europe, but also aims to expand its membership by inviting additional strategic collaborators.
This initiative will help develop a broader industrial network and enhance the supply and demand ecosystem for renewable polymers across multiple sectors, which include food and beverage packaging, cosmetics, fashion, and industrial fibers.
Tom van Aken, CEO of Avantium, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “This partnership with LVMH and Tereos is an exciting step in our journey to bring Releaf to market at scale. It builds on our successful existing collaboration and reflects a shared commitment to accelerating the transition to renewable materials.”
This consortium builds upon the existing relationship fostered through the EU-supported PEFerence initiative, which has promoted the shift from fossil-based to plant-based polyesters in order to decrease reliance on petrochemical plastics in the European market.
Through this consortium, Avantium, Tereos, and LVMH aim to advance the commercialization of plant-based polymers, aligning their efforts with the growing industry and regulatory emphasis on circularity and bio-based materials. Tereos’ involvement complements its corporate objectives of expanding value chains in green chemistry.
Olivier Leducq, CEO of Tereos, pointed out, “Tereos has made strong commitments for regenerative agriculture and decarbonisation from the field to finished products, which are reflected in our Cultivate Net Zero customer offer. Today, our partnership marks a new step in the development of sustainable solutions for green chemistry markets.”
The participation of LVMH Gaïa aligns with the broader goals of LVMH’s LIFE 360 environmental programs, focusing on gradually eliminating fossil-based plastics from its packaging solutions. Claude Martinez, President and CEO of LVMH Gaïa, noted, “Our partnership with Avantium has already demonstrated the potential of renewable materials in luxury packaging. With this new step, we reinforce our LIFE 360 commitments, particularly our ambition to eliminate fossil-based plastics from packaging while maintaining the highest standards of performance and aesthetics.”
LVMH’s commitment, along with the formation of the PEF production consortium, signals a significant move toward sustainable and innovative practices in the production of plant-based polymers.
