Avantium N.V. (Amsterdam. The Netherlands) has completed the application validation for its plant-based glycols plantMEG and plantMPG produced in the Ray Technology demonstration plant in Delfzijl. Key applications include polymerization to PEF and PET polyesters and functional fluids used for de-icing and heat transfer. Proving the functional performance of the plant-based glycols is an important step in the scale-up of the Ray Technology.
Avantium aims to commercialize its proprietary plants-to-glycols Ray Technology, which is used to produce plantMEG – a vital ingredient in the production of polyesters widely used in textiles and packaging – and plantMPG – a valuable intermediate used in a wide variety of applications such as industrial fluids. Both plantMEG and plantMPG are expected to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to their fossil-based equivalents. In 2020, Avantium successfully commissioned its Ray Technology demonstration plant, which utilizes all process steps in converting industrial sugars to glycols, allowing for the production of plantMEG and plantMPG samples that are representative of the final product from subsequent commercial-scale plants.
Avantium has now produced 100% plant-based PEF by polymerizing Avantium’s monomers FDCA (furandicarboxylic acid) and plantMEG. Ray plantMEG can also be used to produce bio-PET (30% plantMEG), reducing the environmental footprint versus the fossil-based production routes. Furthermore, relevant functional properties of Ray plantMEG and plantMPG in de-icing fluids have been demonstrated. These fluids are mainly used in airport operations for the de-icing of airplanes.
Zanna McFerson, managing director Renewable Chemistries at Avantium says: “A critical step in commercializing the Ray Technology is ensuring that the resulting products, Ray plantMEG and plantMPG, perform in customer-specific applications. We have now succeeded in demonstrating that our plant-based glycols are a great solution in a broad range of applications that can drive us towards a circular economy. This application validation paves the way for future licensees of the Ray Technology™ to tap into the growing demand for plant-based, renewable and recyclable materials.”