BASF and Avantium intend to establish joint venture

BASF and Avantium intend to establish joint venture

• Production and marketing of a new plastic, polyethylenefuranoate (PEF), and its main building block, furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), based on renewable resources

• Further development and licensing of Avantium’s production processes for FDCA and PEF at industrial scale

• Intention to build a reference plant for FDCA with an annual capacity of up to 50,000 tons at BASF’s Verbund site in Antwerp, Belgium

BASF and Avantium today announced that they have signed a letter of intent and entered into exclusive negotiations to establish a joint venture (JV) for the production and marketing of a new polymer, polyethylenefuranoate (PEF), and its main chemical building block furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) using renewable resources.

The JV will use the YXY process® developed by Avantium in its laboratories in Amsterdam and pilot plant in Geleen, Netherlands, for the production of FDCA. It is intended to further develop this process as well as to construct a reference plant for the production of FDCA with an annual capacity of up to 50,000 metric tons per year at BASF’s Verbund site in Antwerp, Belgium. The aim is to build up world-leading positions in production and marketing of FDCA and PEF, and subsequently license the technology for industrial scale application.

FDCA and PEF: New materials enabling improved food packaging films and plastic bottles

FDCA is the essential chemical building block for the production of PEF. Compared to conventional plastics, PEF is characterized by improved barrier properties for gases like carbon dioxide and oxygen. This can lead to longer shelf life of packaged products. Due to its higher mechanical strength, thinner PEF packaging can be produced, thus a lower amount of packaging material is necessary. Therefore PEF is particularly suitable for the production of certain food and beverage packaging, for example films and plastic bottles. After use, PEF can be recycled.

“With the planned joint venture, we want to combine Avantium’s specific production technology and application know-how for FDCA and PEF with the strengths of BASF,” said Dr. Stefan Blank, President of BASF’s Intermediates division. “Of particular importance is our expertise in market development and large-scale production as an established and reliable chemical company in the business of intermediates and polymers,” Blank added.

“The contemplated joint venture with BASF is a major milestone in the development and commercialization of this game-changing technology. Partnering with the number one chemical company in the world, provides us with access to the capabilities that are required to bring this technology to industrialization,” said Tom van Aken, Chief Executive Officer of Avantium. “The joint venture will further strengthen the global technology and establish the market leadership for the production of FDCA and PEF. With BASF, we plan to start production of FDCA and PEF to enable the first commercial launch of this exciting bio-based material and to further develop and grow the market to its full potential,” van Aken continued.

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