In an article published on March 15, 2016 news provider PR Newswire reports on the joint venture between chemical manufacturers BASF and Avantium for production of furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA, CAS 3238-40-2) and marketing of polyethylenefuranoate (PEF, no CAS number available). The two companies have signed a letter of intent and began negotiations for their collaboration. They intend to use and further develop Avantium’s YXY process® for production of FDCA at up to 50’000 metric tons per year from renewable resources. The goal is to establish market leadership for FDCA and PEF and license the technology for industrial scale application.
FDCA is the essential building block for production of PEF, which is a biobased alternative to conventional polyethylene terephthalate (PET, CAS 25038-59-9). It exhibits improved gas barrier properties and can thus offer longer shelf life of packaged products. Further, thinner PEF packaging can be produced because of its higher mechanical strength. This can reduce the amount of packaging material necessary. PEF is suitable for certain food and beverage packaging such as films and plastic bottles. Also, PEF can be recycled after use.
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PR Newswire (March 15, 2016). “BASF and Avantium intend to establish joint venture.”
Jenny Eagle (March 15, 2016). “BASF and Avantium to produce FDCA and PEF to improve food packaging films and plastic bottles.” Food Production Daily
