Avantium is jointly testing the application of PEF (polyethylene furanoate) in small bottles for functional drink shots with Gepack and Frubaça. The supplier of renewable and recyclable polymer materials markets PEF under the brand name ‚Releaf‘ and aims to demonstrate the integration of PEF into existing beverage packaging applications and validate the entire production process through the collaboration.
PEF is a plant-based, recyclable material that offers improved barrier performance compared to traditional fossil-based plastics. These properties help to preserve the taste and quality of beverages. By applying PEF in shot formats, the partners aim to demonstrate how renewable materials can be integrated into existing supply chains. The evaluation includes PEF's performance in terms of product protection, shelf-life extension, and the reduction of packaging's environmental impact.
Cooperation along the value chain
Gepack, a Portugal-based PET bottle manufacturer, produces the bottles which are then filled by Frubaça, a Portuguese producer of fruit juices and functional drinks. This supply chain collaboration allows the partners to validate the processing and performance of PEF throughout the entire production process. Lígia Passos, Head of R&D at Gepack, highlights the importance of this partnership: „This project shows how new materials can be integrated into existing bottle manufacturing processes.“
Market potential and sustainability
Bineke Posthumus, Commercial Director at Avantium, highlights that collaboration along the value chain is crucial to assess how new materials perform in real-world applications. Testing in a compact and striking shot format offers a category with strong consumer appeal and a genuine need for higher-performing, more sustainable packaging. Avantium is known for its innovative YXY technology, which converts plant-based sugars into FDCA (furandicarboxylic acid), the key building block for the sustainable plastic PEF.
Commercial property planned
Avantium plans to bring the world's first commercial FDCA plant in Delfzijl, Netherlands, into operation. This development could pave the way for broader application of PEF in the packaging industry. Collaboration with companies such as Gepack and Frubaça is an important step in demonstrating the practical suitability of PEF in the packaging industry and promoting the acceptance of renewable materials.
Source: Avantium
