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Avantium to offer PEF solution for Heijn’s own-brand packaging
Avantium has embarked on a strategic partnership with Albert Heijn, a prominent Dutch supermarket chain, with the aim of facilitating a shift towards more sustainable packaging solutions for Heijn’s proprietary products. Avantium, recognized for its expertise in sustainable chemistry, is offering its innovative polyethylene furanoate (PEF) solution as a pivotal element in the creation of diverse packaging options for the retailer.
PEF, characterized by its 100% plant-based composition and circular polymer structure, stands out as a fully recyclable material. Avantium PEF
Its remarkable barrier properties empower brands and businesses to extend the shelf life of both beverages and food items. The versatility of PEF makes it suitable for a broad spectrum of applications, including the manufacturing of bottles and various types of packaging.
At present, Avantium is in the final stages of initiating operations at its commercial PEF plant. The operationalization of this plant will mark the commencement of utilizing the PEF solution for the production of a new fruit juice bottle for Heijn. The manufacturing of this PEF-made bottle will be executed by Refresco, a global beverage solutions provider catering to diverse brands and retailers. Avantium PEF
Avantium proudly asserts that this initiative will result in the introduction of the first PEF-made product within a supermarket chain’s own-brand product line. Tom van Aken, the CEO of Avantium, emphasized the significance of this collaboration, stating, “With Albert Heijn as a partner, Avantium can further scale up and expand the PEF value chain to meet the growing global demand for circular and renewable material solutions.”
The commercial PEF plant, situated in Delfzijl, the Netherlands, is designed to have a production capacity of five kilotons of furandicarboxylic acid. This acid serves as a fundamental building block for chemicals and plastics, including PEF. The anticipated timeline for the commencement of commercial production at the Delfzijl site is the second half of 2024. Avantium PEF
Marit van Egmond, the CEO of Heijn, expressed the company’s commitment to sustainability, stating, “With the use of PEF, we are giving substance to our goal of making packaging more sustainable, besides reduction, recyclability, and reuse, fossil-free materials are high on our wish list.” This collaboration follows a notable offtake agreement signed in August 2022, where Brazil’s Ambev committed to purchasing Avantium’s recyclable PEF material for producing soft drink bottles.
PPWR – European Parliament discriminates plastics packaging
“Packaging neutrality objectives and similar material circularity targets will create the level playing field that Europe really needs.” stated EuPC managing director Bernard Merkx in his first reaction to the vote. Avantium PEF
Last week, the European Parliament adopted its negotiating position on the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) proposed last year by the European Commission. Unfortunately, many amendments from the Environmental Committee initial Report that single out plastic packaging have passed the consensus of the Plenary session.
European Plastics Converters are disappointed by the unfounded tailored measures against plastics, which seem to be based predominantly on emotional motives. Some examples of such emotional motived voting are special reduction targets for certain plastic packaging, exemptions for composite packaging from the recyclate use quotas, and bans on single-use stretch films and more.
The lack of rational support to a plastics converting and recycling industry that has been working for improved sustainability, recyclability, circularity as well as on improved performances of its packaging offer is a missed opportunity. Avantium PEF
In our perspective, topics like additional food waste as a direct consequence should have been addressed, whereas plastic packaging reuse quotas and others have not been very well assessed either. In our view the voted amendments will therefore not bring the expected environmental goals the Parliament desires.
Moreover, the lack of consideration for how to reach the ambitious recycled content targets adds perplexity to their feasibility in coming years. The proposed targets are based on the assumption of a given consistent availability of high-quality recycled raw materials, that has proven to be already lacking today. Linear waste management systems in many Member States with still open landfills and subsidized incineration have for years been blocking required additional investments in high-quality infrastructure and high-tech systems for collection, sorting and recycling. Avantium PEF
Practical solutions such as credit-based systems and clear exemptions must be included in a final version of the PPWR to allow the plastics converting and recycling industry, mostly composed of SMEs, and their customers, to effectively comply and support the market of high-quality recycled materials to naturally grow.
Further concerns come from the ban of packaging falling in recyclability grade D or below, which may negatively affect future innovation and will have unforeseeable impacts on many, widely recycled packaging formats. The possibility for Member States to adopt more stringent national measures ultimately undermines the harmonisation spirit of the regulation and risks creating the patchwork effect that we witness today in the sustainability arena. Avantium PEF
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Paques Biomaterials and Looop are set to join forces in a groundbreaking collaboration aimed at producing Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) from residual agri-food streams
With over a decade of experience, Paques Biomaterials specializes in a technology that utilizes bacteria within organic waste to generate the biopolymer PHA. Looop, on the other hand, acts as an independent knowledge partner and supplier, providing the agri-food sector’s residual flows, commonly known as by-products. Avantium PEF
The synergy between these two entities is evident as they pool their expertise to create a natural alternative to conventional plastics. René Rozendal, co-founder of Paques Biomaterials, emphasizes the significance of this collaboration, stating, “For us, the collaboration with Looop means a reliable supply of residual flows to produce PHA.” He highlights Looop’s proficiency in valuing residual flows and the ability to combine diverse agri-food by-products, ensuring the optimal raw material for PHA production.
PHA, often hailed as the most promising biopolymer, is noteworthy for being biodegradable in both land and sea environments without the need for specific conditions or equipment. This makes PHA a crucial solution in combating plastic pollution and microplastics.
Expressing their commitment to exploring PHA production further, Looop and Paques Biomaterials are dedicated to maximizing the value of organic residual flows. Kelly Vermeer, Procurement & Development Manager at Looop, asserts, “Producing PHA provides higher valorization of various by-products, ensuring lower CO2 emissions and aligning with our mission and vision.” Avantium PEF
Looop, specializing in reintegrating organic residual flows into the food chain, operates with a strong focus on Responsible Consumption (Goal 12) and Partnership for the Goals (Goal 17) as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Paul Slits, a shareholder of Looop, emphasizes the importance of partnerships in their circular business model and expresses confidence in the collaboration with Paques Biomaterials, describing it as a partnership that simply “feels good.”
Paques Biomaterials has an array of collaborations underway, including partnerships with Dutch organizations dealing with industrial wastewater, a consortium with various water boards for municipal wastewater, and an international collaboration with a multinational entity in South Korea. Avantium PEF
The coming months will witness the tangible realization of the collaboration between Looop and Paques Biomaterials, spanning both business and technology development in their shared pursuit of a harmonious world in balance with nature.
China faces yet another economic setback as the shadow banking sector takes a hit with the collapse of Zhongzhi Enterprise Group (ZEG)
Following the crises of Evergrande and Country Garden, ZEG, one of the country’s major shadow banks and a significant asset manager, has declared liabilities of up to $64 billion, intensifying concerns that the real estate debt crisis is extending its grip into the financial domain. Avantium PEF
In a letter of apology to investors, ZEG, which holds substantial exposure to the Chinese real estate market, disclosed total liabilities ranging from 420 billion yuan ($58 billion) to 460 billion yuan ($64 billion). The company’s asset management arm, at its zenith, reportedly managed $139 billion. Authorities in China initiated an investigation into “suspected illegal crimes” against the company shortly after its admission of insolvency. “Criminal coercive measures” have been taken against numerous suspects, although the identities and roles of these individuals within the company remain unclear. The founder, Xie Zhikun, passed away in 2021 due to a heart attack. Tensions surrounding Zhongzhi first surfaced in July when a major subsidiary trust company, Zhongrong International Trust Co, failed to meet payments on numerous investment products, exposing the high default risks associated with the underlying real estate assets of the Zhongrong Trust Fund. Avantium PEF
The escalating issues at Zhongzhi, a key player in China’s $3 trillion shadow banking sector, have rekindled concerns about contagion risks. China’s heavily indebted real estate sector, grappling with a liquidity crisis since 2020, has witnessed developer defaults since late 2021, with Evergrande being among the initial giants to succumb.
Andrew Collier, a shadow banking expert at Orient Capital Research, notes the historical pursuit of a real estate bubble in China, driven by capital influx. As the real estate sector experiences a downturn amid economic slowdown, Collier suggests that ZEG’s problems might only mark the onset of a more extensive issue, potentially spreading to other forms of shadow banking and even traditional banks in the country. Avantium PEF
The unfolding situation raises apprehensions about the broader stability of China’s financial landscape.
