Yeliana Yasmin Andara Sangronis.

A Dutch biochemical company developed a new “all-plant” based bottle made from renewable resources that decomposes in a year.

(Erskine, 2021)

The name of the company that created this bottle is Avantium. Instead of using conventional fossil fuels, the company uses plant sugars to make this new eco-friendly container. Moreover, it manufactures chemicals and materials based on renewable feedstock from advanced chemistry technologies. Carlsberg, a beer manufacturer, expressed interest in selling a plant-plastic lined cardboard bottle in several upcoming product launches. Also, companies such as Coca-Cola and Danone have been supporting the product mentioned above.

Avantium.

Currently, Avantium owns three technologies: YXY Technology, RAY Technology, and Dawn Technology, all of which are in the pilot stage or even beyond. Furthermore, it has a robust portfolio management method in place and a pipeline of new projects in the lab. Truly, a stage-gate method is used to find the most appealing opportunities. This company manufactures plastics and textiles using renewable resources. Candidly, FDCA and plantMEG are two of their lead products that allow the development of the novel plastic PEF (100% plant-based, recyclable, and degradable).

YXY

YXY Technology produces FDCA, a major component of PEF, a novel plant-based plastic with a combination of both environmental and performance features. Moreover, this biodegradable plastic outperforms today´s packaging materials petroleum-based.

RAY

Ray Technology replaced Fossil-MEG with a much renewable, recyclable, and creative ingredient for either plastics or textiles: Plant-MEG. Equally important, this key chemical component of PET or PEF resin is used in many ways like bottles, packaging, fabrics, furniture, and many more.

DAWN

Dawn Technology converts agricultural and forestry residues to high-value chemicals and materials. PET or REF resin for bottles and packaging as well as fabrics, furniture, solvents, and coolants are all made from this chemical building block.

Plant-based bottle.

A plastic bottle takes approximately 500 years to decompose, according to Greenpeace results. Avantium´s goal is to promote YXY Technology to launch a new alternative for plastics. As mentioned, Avantium developed this eco-friendly material, made from corn, wheat, and beet sugars broken down into chemical structures to form a plant-based plastic: Polyethylene Furanoate (PEF). So far, it has been made to withstand the pressures of carbonated drinks like soda. Moreover, it has been shown to decompose in a year if compost is used, if not, then it takes a couple of years when disposed of outdoors.

The manufacture of this bottle is sustainable as it has a lower environmental impact and uses much less electricity (Avantium). The Dutch company will start with a production capacity of about 5,000 tons to pave the way for a greener industry, but they plan to expand as demand increases. Equally significant, Coca-Cola and Danone showed interest in incorporating this option into their bottled goods. Also, Carlsberg Brewery plans to distribute their alcohol in cardboard, these could be available in stores as early as 2023 (Carlsberg Group).

Avantium has joined with these renowned businesses, each with their enthusiasm and potential for sustainability, to transform the way we consume beverages. As a result, we can all assist in eliminating plastic waste by contributing to this approach of sustainability by investing in emerging plant-based innovations. Eventually, these will replace the use of plastic.

Let’s take a look at it positively, although our linear packaging structure is broken (Impact Zero), people and organizations have started to embrace reality and change their ways of thinking to function in a circular economy. This circular economy requires today´s products to become tomorrow´s capital. It isn’t about one manufacturer changing a product, but about all of the interconnected businesses that make up our infrastructure and economy coming together. In a nutshell, it’s about rethinking the operating structure to broaden our horizons and reinvent our future. This means refocusing our efforts on technologies that will make plastic waste and pollution a thing of the past, rather than our future. Consumers should be aware of the new innovative packaging options that lead to a sustainable circular economy. Thus, aim to reduce pollution while still respecting environmental boundaries.

Bibliography:

Chen, P. (2020, December 14). Why is the linear economy bad? Impact Zero. https://impactzero.ca/tips/why-is-the-linear-economy-bad 

Fudger-Galvez, L. (2020, May 22). Plant-based Plastic Bottles to Become the New Normal. Impakter. https://impakter.com/plant-based-plastic-bottles-to-become-the-new-normal/

Home. (2020, October 28). Avantium. https://www.avantium.com/

Martínez, K. (2019, December 19). Dile hola a las tazas hechas con residuos de café y despídete del plástico. VIX. https://www.vix.com/es/mundo/221527/dile-hola-a-las-tazas-hechas-con-residuos-de-cafe-y-despidete-del-plastico?utm_source=next_article

New Plant-Based Bottles Made From Plant Sugar Degrade in a Year. (2020, May 23). One Green Planet. https://www.onegreenplanet.org/environment/new-plant-based-bottles-made-from-plant-sugar-degrade-in-a-year/

(2020, May 18). New Plant-Based Plastic Bottles Are Designed To Degrade In A Year. Ubergizmo. https://www.ubergizmo.com/2020/05/plant-based-plastic-bottles-degrade-in-a-year