PEF pilot phase set to be extended at Synvina Antwerp
AMSTERDAM – Avantium N.V. today announces that Synvina, its joint venture with BASF, plans to extend the pilot phase in order to optimize future commercial-scale production.
Synvina has now completed a broad feasibility assessment for commercial-scale production of FDCA (furandicarboxylic acid) in its Reference Plant intended to be built in Antwerp. FDCA is the main building block for the new polymer PEF (polyethylenefuroate). The assessment looked at product performance, market appetite and technical process.
The assessment confirmed that product performance and customer demand are strong. In the technical process evaluation, Synvina identified some steps that require improvement. It recommends undertaking additional development work on these steps, to ensure the most efficient process and best product for current and future customers. As a result, Synvina intends to extend the pilot phase, which will in turn extend the timeline to start up the Reference Plant by 24 to 36 months.
“The confidence of Avantium, BASF and Synvina in the product performance and its market potential has only increased since Synvina was founded. Encountering technical challenges is not uncommon in innovative, ground-breaking technologies of this kind. Synvina is working closely with BASF and Avantium to resolve these challenges. We are all confident that this will result in a production process that runs smoothly and reliably, and a product that is as pure as the market demands. We believe the Reference Plant will be operational in the 2023-2024 timeframe,” says Avantium CEO Tom van Aken.
Synvina was established in October 2016 with the intent to build and operate the Reference Plant. This will be the first commercial-scale plant to produce FDCA, the breakthrough building block for the polyester PEF with superior performance, which is suitable for food and beverage packaging, automotive applications and carpet and textile fibers.
Related parks
Categories
Investments
2016-03-15
at Port Of Antwerp (BE)Chemical substances
Countries
Companies
Latest news
ORLEN launches sales of new aviation fuel: SAF now available at Polish airports
The introduction of SAF at Warsaw Chopin Airport is a major milestone in the aviation sector’s transition toward climate neutrality. Our priority is to establish the conditions necessary for carrie...
Investment in CO2 transportation pipeline project to decarbonize UK cement and lime industry
Sumitomo Corporation has agreed new funding for the development of the CO2 transport pipeline, to support Peak Cluster Carbon Capture project (“Peak Cluster”). Peak Cluster will capture CO2 from fo...
BASF and BACHL complete transfer of Styrodur® business to BACHL
The sale also includes the brand Styrodur®. Approximately 50 employees in production, marketing and sales at BASF SE are involved in the Styrodur business. The affected employees will remain with B...
ORLEN has secured PLN 2.5 billion to finance green investments
The involved investments include the development and acquisition of new renewable energy capacities, further expansion of zero-carbon transport infrastructure (including fast-charging stations for ...