Avantium, a renewable chemicals company, and ALPLA Werke Alwin Lehner GmbH, one of the world’s leading plastic converters, have entered into a Joint Development Agreement for the development of PEF (polyethylene furanoate) bottles. After The Coca-Cola Company and Danone, ALPLA is the third company to collaborate with Avantium on PEF, a bioplastic based on Avantium’s proprietary YXY technology. The goal of these collaborations is to bring 100% biobased PEF bottles to the market by 2016.
“Avantium is very excited to have ALPLA enter the Joint Development Platform for PEF bottles,” said Tom van Aken, CEO Avantium, in prepared statement. “With ALPLA’s extensive and proven know-how in PET conversion, bottle design and bottle manufacturing, ALPLA will be a major contributor to accelerate the commercial roll out and industrialization of PEF. Jointly we can make PEF available for packaging in innovative markets and traditional applications."
Avantium and ALPLA will work together to develop the supply chain for PEF as sustainable biobased packaging material to the beer and alcoholic beverage markets in particular. As one of the world’s most innovative converters, ALPLA will be a key enabler to develop PEF bottles meeting the technical requirements for the market.
In the 1980s ALPLA was the first to introduce the two-step PET (polyethylene terephthalate), bottle which started the transition from PVC to PET. Today we are able to take innovation a step further and introduce our customers in the food, home care and personal care area to the next generation of biobased polyester: PEF. Sustainability is a key driver for growth for ALPLA and its customers. We are therefore pleased to collaborate with Avantium to bring the first 100% biobased and recyclable PEF bottles to the market.”
