Avantium on growth trail with Japan branch office 

Dutch bio-technology company Avantium Renewable Polymers has established a branch office in Japan as part of a strategy to target high-value applications for PEF (polyethylene furanoate) – a plant-based alternative to PET.
 
This branch office will operate under the name Avantium Japan K.K., said the company 13 Nov without specifying the location of the unit.
 
The Japanese subsidiary will build on Avantium’s activities in Japan over the past several years and will help develop and market PEF in high-value applications in the innovative Japanese packaging and electronics market.
 
Industry veteran and Japan expert Jan Waninge has been appointed as representative director of Avantium Japan K.K. Waninge worked for Dutch chemicals company DSM for over three decades, of which nearly 13 years were spent in Japan
 
Amongst its activities in Japan, Avantium has had a long-term partnership with the Japanese chemical company Toyobo Co. for PEF polymerisation and PEF film. The company also collaborates with Mitsui & Co. for the market development of PEF in high-value applications and the distribution of PEF to high-end Japanese consumer brands.
 
The establishment of the new office is aligned with Avantium’s plans to scale up its PEF polymer production. The company has targeted Japan as “the key market” for introducing innovative and advanced materials.
 
Avantium disclosed a series of plans to commercialise its YXY technology to produce 100% renewable and fully recyclable PEF polymers earlier in the summer.
 
During a “technology and markets day” event 6 June, the company said it had revised its scale-up policy after taking full ownership of the Synvina bioplastics business from JV partner BASF earlier this year.
 
Synvina was formed in 2016 to commercialise the YXY technology developed by Avantium to produce PEF-building block FDCA. But BASF terminated its partnership earlier this year, citing disagreements over implementing the terms of the agreement.
 
As part of its new plan, Avantium said it intended to build a cash-flow positive flagship plant with a planned annual capacity of 5 kilotonnes per annum (ktpa) of FDCA and PEF by 2030.
 
The plant will produce products for high-value markets and performance applications such as high-barrier films and specialty bottles.
 
Avantium expects to make an investment decision for the construction of the plant by the end of 2020.