November 21, 2023
(press release)
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AMSTERDAM, 21 November 2023, 07:00 hrs CET – Avantium N.V., a technology company in sustainable chemistry, is collaborating with Albert Heijn to make packaging more sustainable. To this end, Avantium’s 100% plant-based and circular material PEF (polyethylene furanoate) is being used for various forms of packaging. Refresco, the global independent beverage solutions provider for Global, National and Emerging (GNE) brands, and retailers, produces Albert Heijn’s new fruit juice bottle made out of PEF. This will be the first PEF application to be introduced in Albert Heijn stores, once Avantium’s commercial plant for PEF is operational. Albert Heijn is the first supermarket chain in the world to introduce PEF packaging for own-brand products. Avantium's PEF is a 100% plant-based and fully recyclable polymer with a wide range of applications including bottles and packaging, films and textiles. In addition to its sustainable packaging benefits, Avantium's PEF has superior barrier properties, extending the shelf life of beverages and food. Avantium is currently constructing the world's first commercial plant in Delfzijl for 5 kilotons of FDCA (furandicarboxylic acid), the key building block for PEF, with commercial production expected to start in the second half of 2024. Thereafter, PEF production will be further scaled up to plants of 100 kilotons and more for large-scale production of FDCA and PEF through technology licensing. Tom van Aken, CEO of Avantium, is pleased with the partnership with Albert Heijn: "We are proud that Albert Heijn is the first supermarket chain to start using PEF for packaging. 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. This is what the materials transition is about: ensuring that consumers can access sustainable and innovative products on a commercial scale." Marit van Egmond, CEO of Albert Heijn, adds: "From the mission 'Together we make eating better the easy choice. For everyone.', Albert Heijn wants to pass on a liveable earth to future generations. To make that possible, one of our goals is to make packaging more sustainable. Besides packaging reduction, recyclability and reuse, fossil-free materials are high on our wish list. With the use of PEF, we are giving substance to this." Alexander van Assouw, Managing Director Refresco Benelux: “As a beverage solutions provider, we are continuously looking for innovative ways to produce soft drinks, fruit juices and other drinks. Reducing, recycling and making packaging more sustainable is an important element of our strategy. With PEF we are able to offer an alternative sustainable packaging solution to our customers. We are therefore pleased that Refresco, Avantium and Albert Heijn are now working together to bring this new fruit juice bottle to market.” About Avantium Avantium is a leading technology development company and a frontrunner in renewable chemistry. Avantium develops and commercialises innovative technologies for the production of materials based on sustainable carbon feedstocks, i.e. carbon from biomass or carbon from the air (CO2).The most advanced technology is the YXY® Technology that catalytically converts plant-based sugars into FDCA (furandicarboxylic acid), the key building block for the sustainable plastic PEF (polyethylene furanoate). Avantium has successfully demonstrated the YXY® Technology at its pilot plant in Geleen, the Netherlands, and has started construction of the world's first commercial plant for FDCA in 2022, with planned large-scale production of PEF in 2024. The second technology is Ray TechnologyTM and catalytically converts industrial sugars to plant-based MEG (mono-ethylene glycol) and plant-based MPG (mono-propylene glycol): plantMEGTM and plantMPGTM. Avantium is scaling up its Ray TechnologyTM and the demonstration plant in Delfzijl, the Netherlands opened in November 2019. Avantium’s Volta Technology uses electrochemistry to convert CO2 into high-value chemical building blocks and sustainable plastic materials, including PLGA (polylactic-co-glycolic acid). Avantium also provides R&D solutions in the field of sustainable chemistry and is the leading provider of advanced catalyst testing technology and services to accelerate catalyst R&D. Avantium works in partnership with like-minded companies around the globe to create revolutionary renewable chemistry solutions from invention to commercial scale. Avantium’s shares are listed on Euronext Amsterdam and Euronext Brussels (symbol: AVTX). Avantium is incorporated in the Euronext Amsterdam SmallCap Index (AScX). Its offices and headquarters are in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. About Albert Heijn (part of Ahold Delhaize) With more than 125,000 colleagues, 1,250 stores, eight home shop centers and six distribution centers, Albert Heijn fills more than six million plates every night. At Albert Heijn, we believe that food and drink plays an essential role in solving society's major challenges. It makes an important contribution to and healthy lifestyle, it connects people and contributes to a better climate and thus a sustainable society. That's why we at Albert Heijn have a mission: Together we make eating better the easy choice. For everyone. About Refresco Refresco is the global independent beverage solutions provider for Global, National and Emerging brands, and retailers with production in Europe, North America, and Australia. Refresco offers an extensive range of product and packaging combinations from juices to carbonated soft drinks and mineral waters in carton, PET, Aseptic PET, cans, and glass. Refresco continuously searches for new and alternative ways to improve the quality of its products and packaging combinations in line with consumer and customer demand, environmental responsibilities, and market demand. Refresco is headquartered in Rotterdam, the Netherlands and has more than 13,500 employees. www.refresco.com
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