Under this partnership, PANGAIA will purchase Avantium’s plant-based and recyclable material PEF (polyethylene furanoate) for use in their apparel collection with the goal of creating fossil-fuel free and recyclable materials and products. PEF is made from FDCA (furandicarboxylic acid), which will be produced in Avantium’s FDCA Flagship Plant. This world’s first commercial facility for FDCA is currently under construction in Delfzijl (the Netherlands), and large-scale production is set to start in the second half of 2024.
Avantium’s PEF is a 100% plant-based polymer with a wide range of applications such as bottles and packaging, films and textiles. Over the past year, Avantium has increased its focus on the development of PEF for fibres and yarns, which can be used in different applications including fashion.
Scaleable future
PEF-based fibres can replace PET fibre, which accounted for ~54% of global fibre production in 2021 (60.5 million tonnes). PEF fits current polyester infrastructure for both production and recycling; presenting a scaleable future for renewable alternatives to fossil-fuel derived PET. PEF-based fibre has a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to fossil-fuel based synthetic fibres, and can also be recycled in existing assets.
Consumers are making more and more conscious choices when it comes to their apparel purchases and this offers a promising market opportunity for plant-based alternatives, including PEF.
As part of its Positive Earth philosophy, PANGAIA is committed to embracing a future where renewable outputs are prioritised, minimising its reliance on fossil fuels.
See Avantium’s website for more information.
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