Avantium has collaborated with fresh food company Royal Vezet to implement its polyethylene furanoate (PEF) based packaging for salad bowls, set to be used by Netherlands supermarket chain Albert Heijn.
Avantium says its PEF is a ‘100% plant-based, fully recyclable’ polymer and offers a renewable and circular packaging solution for Royal Vezet’s salad bowls. Avantium adds that it is set to start up the ‘world’s first’ commercial plant in Delfzijl for 5 kilotons of furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), the key component of PEF, with commercial production expected to begin in 2025.
Following this, PEF production will apparently be scaled up to plants of 100 kilotons and beyond, aiming to enable large-scale production of FDCA and PEF through technology licensing.
Royal Vezet says it produces 6 million consumer units per week, with the company stating it prides itself on its strong regional ties and dedication to sustainability and quality. Albert Heijn is due to introduce the first PEF-based salad bowl trays and explore further expansion to the packaging of other segments.
“By combining Avantium’s PEF with Royal Vezet’s commitment to fresh, high-quality products and Albert Heijn’s extensive market reach, we are [poised] to make a significant impact on the food packaging industry. Together, we can accelerate the transition to more sustainable packaging solutions, promoting healthy products in eco-friendly packaging that benefit both consumers and the environment,” says Tom an Aken, CEO of Avantium.
Last year, Avantium supplied its plant-based PEF material to Refresco for use in Albert Heijn’s fruit juice bottles, with the retailer claiming to be the first supermarket chain in the world to adopt the material for own-brand products. According to Avantium, PEF offers ‘superior’ barrier properties to extend the shelf life of food and beverages.
