Avantium’s YXY^® plant-to-plastics-process catalytically converts plant-based sugars, e.g., fructose, into chemicals and plastics, such as FDCA (furan dicarboxylic acid) and the packaging material PEF (polyethylenefuranoate). In 2016, Avantium and BASF formed a joint venture, Synvina, to commercialize the YXY technology. In January 2019, Avantium has purchased BASF’s shares in the Synvina joint venture and has retaken full ownership of its YXY technology. As Avantium Renewable Polymers, Synvina has become a new business unit of Avantium. Currently, it produces FDCA at a pilot plant in Geleen, The Netherlands. The FDCA is polymerized to PEF externally by partners.

Avantium has unveiled a series of plans to commercialize the technology to produce 100 % renewable and fully recyclable PEF polymers. The company intends to build a cash-flow positive flagship plant with a planned annual capacity of 5 kilotons of FDCA and PEF slated to start up in 2023. The plant will produce products for high-value markets and performance applications such as high-barrier films and specialty bottles. The site for the plant is expected to be in Northwestern Europe.

• Avantium NV, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
• Synvina, Amsterdam, The Netherlands