Avantium successfully produces polyesters with plantMEG from Ray Technology demo plant

In the Netherlands, Avantium N.V., completed the application validation for its plant-based glycols plantMEG and plantMPG produced in the Ray Technology demonstration plant in Delfzijl. Proving the functional performance of the plant-based glycols is an important step in the scale-up of the Ray Technology.

Key applications include polymerisation to PEF and PET polyesters and functional fluids used for de-icing and heat transfer.

Avantium aims to commercialise 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 utilises 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.