The aim is to build up a world-leading position for furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) and the polyethylenefuranoate (PEF) based on it. The recyclable PEF is tougher than conventional plastics, making it particularly suitable for food and beverage packaging films and plastic bottles. Building on Avantium’s YXY process for the production of FDCA, the JV will produce and market FDCA and also market the resulting PEF. Not least, it will construct a reference plant for the production of FDCA with an annual capacity of up to 50,000 metric tonnes per year at BASF’s Verbund site in Antwerp, Belgium.

“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 Stefan Blank, President of BASF’s Intermediates division. “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 industrialisation,” added Tom van Aken, CEO of Avantium.

Bio-waste collaboration

Meanwhile, established bio-fuel player Deinove and fellow French biotech Arbiom have started a collaboration to demonstrate how their combined technologies can utilise non-food plant biomass previously considered waste. Deinove has already demonstrated that its technology is adaptable to forest residues, plant biomass that had been pretreated with the Arbiom tech. Now, further tests are to show which molecules can be produced by the fermentation.

“We are pleased that our technology also works on wood, opening the way to multiple applications for the valorisation of wood residues,” said Emmanuel Petiot, CEO of Deinove. “Our goal is to contribute to the development of a responsible bioeconomy. This collaboration with Deinove broadens the range of applications of our bio-refineries and the solutions we offer to industry,” added Gilles Amsallem, CEO of Arbiom. The stated goal of the two companies is to develop “a ‘carbon-free’ chemical industry”.