The initial period has focused on design of Flagship plant, first draft of Life cycle assessment (LCA), formulating PEF compounds for different end use applications, and the business & commercialization plan of YXY(R) Technology. In plant design, the progress made by BASF, Worley and Synvina during the first reporting period was in line with the overall schedule for the FEED phase. During the first Reporting Period, the goal and scope of the LCA of FDCA and PEF polymers were set. Further, the PEF end products and their fossil-based counterparts were selected for benchmark. The first LCA results showed remarkable savings in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and reduced usage of fossil resources. Synvina has investigated a wide range of PEF formulations, both in-house and with partners. Multiple prototypes have been developed together with converters, including small carbonated soft drink (CSD) bottles, tubes and pouches with ALPLA. FDCA and humins are being investigated for commercial uses by Henkel and Kebony respectively.
The second Reporting Period, has seen continued work on the plant engineering, ISO-certification of the PEF Life Cycle Assessment, continued research into the formulation of PEF compounds, and extensive testing of possible FDCA and PEF-based products. TEREOS has signed an agreement with ARNP to supply fructose feedstock to the FDCA flagship plant, and have performed the FEED for the engineering work to expand their fructose production capacity. Worley worked intensively with ARNP to finalise the FEED assessment of the FDCA flagship plant, to draft the EPC phase plan and commence the EPC phase. PEFerence partners ALPLA, Nestle, LEGO, Henkel, OMV, Kebony and new partner Carlsberg performed extensive work on the development and testing of prototype bio-based products. A summary of the ISO-certified LCA of PEF has been published, sharing with the public GHG emissions savings that are possible with the use of PEF in place of fossil-based materials. Significant progress has been made on the regulatory registration of both FDCA and PEF, as well as on recycling testing an European recycling approval of PEF together with the European PET Bottle Platform (EPBP).
During the third Reporting Period and after the permit to build and operate the flagship plant has become irrevocable on March 9th, 2022, Worley and ARNP have been working together through the EPC phase. The contracts have been signed with key subcontractors and construction of the FDCA Flagship Plant is progressing well, with commercial production set to start in 2024. PEFerence partners are progressing in developing and testing their bio-based prototypes. Henkel, LVMH and Carlsberg and an undisclosed partner have signed offtake agreements. Significant progress has been made towards validation of the formulations and recycling assessment as well as food contact approval. Avantium has received from EPBP, a 3-year interim endorsement to allow multilayer PET/PEF packaging in PET bottle recycling stream in the European bottle recycling market and the Critical Guidance Recognition for PEF from the US-Based Association of Plastic recyclers. An ISO-certified LCA has been performed for FDCA and PEF. Evaluating the potential environmental impacts of the technology for FDCA and PEF production using 2G feedstocks confirmed that a shift to 2G feedstocks can reduce the overall environmental footprint of the technology significantly.
