Renewable chemicals company Avantium has teamed up with textile experts Monosuisse and Antex to develop PEF-based yarn for Auping-branded mattresses.
A 100 per cent plant-based and recyclable plastic, PEF, or polyethylene furanoate is used in polyesters, polyamides, polyurethanes, coating resins, plasticizers, and other chemical products.
Avantium is constructing an FDCA (furandicarboxylic acid) plant, a crucial component in PEF produciton in Delfzijl, the Netherlands. The plant is set to commence on October 22, 2024.
In this collaboration, Avantium will supply PEF to both Monosuisse and Antex. Monosuisse will focus on creating monofilament PEF yarns, while Antex will produce multifilament PEF yarns. Auping will then monitor the design and production of mattresses using the PEF-based fabric.
BinekePosthumus, Director - Business Development, Avantium, says, the partnership reflects the company’s shared commitment to reduce the environmental impact of textile production. Avantium aims to leverage the collective expertise of its partner to transform the textile landscape. The company’s proprietary YXY technology uses catalysts to convert plant-based sugar (fructose) into FDCA, which is then used to produce PEF.
Avantiumhas also secured several off-take agreements for FDCA-based PEF from its Flagship Plant, including with toy brick manufacturer Lego and Danish brewer Carlsberg.
