Avantium’s FDCA Flagship Plant uses locally produced, commercially available first-generation feedstock: glucose or fructose from starch (wheat or corn). With its Dawn Technology™, Avantium aims to increase the use of second- or third-generation feedstocks.

PEF fits perfectly in existing PET recycling streams. It is included in the prestigious Critical Guidance Protocol from the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) and has received an interim endorsement from the European PET Bottle Platform (EPBP) for recycling of multilayer PET/PEF packaging in the European bottle recycling market.

PEF offers a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to traditional plastics like PET, or other packaging material such as glass or aluminium.

PEF’s oxygen barrier is 10 times better than PET, its CO2 barrier is 6 to 10 times better, and its water barrier is twice as good.

PEF has a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 86°C and a melting point (Tm) of 235°C.

PEF allows for less material needed to package food or drinks.

A radically improved and modernized upgrade on a 100-year-old method, Dawn Technology converts non-food plant-based feedstocks, like forestry and agricultural residues, into industrial sugars. These sugars can then be used for making FDCA. In its Dawn Technology pilot plant, Avantium is also exploring the use of cotton-polyester-blend textile waste as feedstock for FDCA, with promising results. Avantium converts the cotton part of polycotton waste into glucose. The remaining material is cotton-free polyester, which can be chemically recycled.

The Dawn Technology pilot plant’s exploration of using cotton-polyester-blend textile waste as feedstock demonstrates flexibility in raw materials, enhancing sustainability, and reducing reliance on traditional sources.

The Dawn Technology pilot bio-refinery has shown up to 40% improvement in energy generation. This resource optimization enhances overall energy usage and resource utilization, making the process more sustainable and cost-effective.