Releaf® is a plant-based, high-performance polymer made from FDCA (furandicarboxylic acid), Avantium's flagship molecule. As the packaging industry seeks solutions that combine high performance, recyclability and a lower environmental footprint, releaf®represents an innovative material under evaluation for packaging applications. Its oxygen and carbon dioxide barrier properties offer the potential to extend shelf life in selected rigid packaging applications, helping to keep food fresh for longer and contributing to reduced food waste. These barrier properties are also being evaluated for use in flexible lidding films and flow-wrap packaging structures requiring high barrier performance. At the same time, its lower carbon footprint can support sustainability goals of brands and converters. In addition, releaf® may support the development of packaging structures designed for recyclability, providing an alternative to conventional multi-layer trays that are more challenging to recycle.
In view of the next phase of development, kp has signed a capacity reservation agreement supporting access to future volumes of releaf® from prospective industrial-scale plants to be built and operated by licensees using Avantium's technology. The agreement provides a possible pathway toward the future commercial deployment of releaf® in thermoformed food packaging applications across Europe, and aligns with Avantium's strategy to establish a global network of licensed PEF production facilities. The agreement also facilitates ongoing evaluation activities and potential future access to volumes subject to the material meeting technical, regulatory and commercial requirements.
PEF
Avantium and Klöckner Pentaplast advance next-generation food packaging with PEF capacity reservation agreement
Avantium announced the signing of a capacity reservation agreement with Klöckner Pentaplast. The agreement supports the companies' ambition to explore the use of Avantium's plant-based polymer PEF (polyethylene furanoate), branded as releaf®, in thermoformed food packaging applications, including food trays and other packaging designed to protect fresh and prepared foods.
Samuel Pardo, Senior Innovations Manager at Klöckner Pentaplast, said: "At kp, we are continuously exploring innovative and emerging packaging materials that can help our customers meet their sustainability goals while maintaining the high performance required for food packaging applications. Releaf® combines renewable feedstock origins and barrier characteristics that make it an interesting option for evaluation in thermoformed food packaging applications. Through this agreement, we plan to continue assessing the material's performance, processability and suitability as part of our broader innovation program.”
Marco Jansen, Chief Commercial Officer at Avantium, commented: "We are delighted to deepen our collaboration with kp, a leading global packaging company. Thermoformed food packaging is an important market for PEF, where its combination of barrier performance, recyclability and renewable origin can create tangible value. This capacity reservation demonstrates growing market interest in PEF and supports our strategy to establish future industrial-scale PEF production through technology licensing."
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