Dutch Avantium will supply PEF - a 100% plant-based and recyclable alternative to plastic - to AmBev. The company agreed to this in an off-take agreement with the Brazilian brewing company.
Avantium is developing new technologies based on renewable raw materials as an alternative to fossil chemicals and plastics. It has announced that it has signed an off-take agreement with AmBev. This is a Brazilian brewing company, part of the AB InBev Group, the world's largest beer company. AmBev will buy PEF (polyethylene furanoate) - a 100% plant-based and recyclable alternative to plastic - from Avantium's Flagship Plant. The brewery aims to use it to make bottles for its soft drinks portfolio.
Commercial plant in Delfzijl
Avantium is currently building the world’s first commercial plant for the production of FDCA (furan dicarboxylic acid) from plant-based sugars. Construction is currently underway in Delfzijl. FDCA is the main ingredient used to produce the plant-based, recyclable plastic PEF. It has superior properties compared to the petroleum-based packaging materials commonly used today. Avantium expects to open this FDCA Flagship Plant by the end of 2023. This will enable the commercial launch of PEF from 2024 onwards.
Multilayer bottles
Over the past year, AmBev and Avantium worked closely together to develop multilayer bottles for AmBev's soft drinks portfolio. This involved using PEF in PET bottles as a 100% plant-based and recyclable inner layer. In addition to its sustainability benefits, PEF also has functional advantages. Consider, for example, good barrier properties. The oxygen barrier of PEF is ten times better than that of PET. And the CO2 barrier is sixteen times better. This not only leads to a longer shelf life. It also optimises the flavour and effervescence of the soft drink.
Impact on the world
Karina Turci is AmBev’s sustainability manager. She says: “AmBev is always looking to make a meaningful impact on the world. And to do that, we have therefore been committed since 2020 to eliminating plastic pollution from our packaging in Brazil by 2025. To achieve this, AmBev is not only focusing on recycling and reducing plastic use. It is also investing in innovative sustainable solutions. Over the past year, AmBev has assessed PEF as a sustainable packaging solution for its soft drinks portfolio. We are impressed by the sustainability and performance characteristics of this innovative material.”
AmBev Brazil
Tom van Aken, CEO of Avantium: "We are delighted with the successful collaboration with AmBev. The collaboration makes PEF available to AmBev's soft drink portfolio in Brazil and Latin America. This opens up a new geography and market for Avantium. In addition, it accelerates the further adoption and growth of PEF. This collaboration is a good example of our common understanding that bold action is the key to lasting positive impact for a sustainable future."
Photo: Construction of Avantium’s PEF Flagship Plant (photo: Avantium)
