Avantium N.V., a frontrunner in renewable and circular polymer materials, has announced the signing of Memoranda of Understanding with Tereos, a global authority in sugar, starch, alcohol, and bioethanol production, along with LVMH GAÏA, the scientific and environmental R&D division of LVMH Moet Hennessy – Louis Vuitton, the premier luxury brand. This collaboration aims to fast-track the industrial-scale production of PEF (polyethylene furanoate), Avantium’s 100% renewable and circular performance polymer marketed as releaf®. Made from plant-based feedstocks, Releaf® is adaptable for use in food and drink packaging, cosmetic packaging, and industrial fibers. This strategic partnership consolidates Avantium’s role as the creator of releaf® alongside the innovative expertise of Tereos and LVMH, collectively advancing the transition from fossil-based plastics to bio-based alternatives.
The parties intend to establish a European consortium and gradually include additional strategic partners. Their goal is to construct and operate the first industrial-scale facility in Europe utilizing Avantium’s proprietary YXY® Technology. This technology will convert plant-based feedstock into FDCA (furandicarboxylic acid) and FDCA-based polymers like releaf®. This initiative will leverage Tereos’ plant-based feedstock and Avantium’s cutting-edge technology, with demand driven by partners such as LVMH Gaïa.
This strategic endeavor builds upon the long-lasting collaboration among Avantium, Tereos, and LVMH Gaïa within the EU-supported PEFerence consortium, which aims to promote the shift from fossil-based to plant-based polyesters. The initiative aligns seamlessly with Tereos’ objective of developing green chemistry value chains and Avantium’s ambition to globally license its YXY® Technology. Moreover, it supports LVMH’s LIFE 360 environmental program, which seeks to progressively eradicate fossil-based plastics from packaging. This initiative marks a tangible step toward that goal.
Olivier Leducq, CEO of Tereos, stated: “We are proud to strengthen our collaboration with LVMH and Avantium. Tereos has made strong commitments for regenerative agriculture and decarbonization from the field to finished products, which are reflected in our Cultivate Net Zero customer offer. Today, our partnership marks a new step in the development of sustainable solutions for green chemistry markets.”
Claude Martinez, President and CEO of LVMH GAÏA, added, “LVMH Gaïa was created to bring science and innovation at the service of sustainability across the LVMH Group. Our partnership with Avantium has already demonstrated the potential of renewable materials in luxury packaging. With this new step, we reinforce our LIFE 360 commitments, in particular our ambition to eliminate fossil-based plastics from packaging, while maintaining the highest standards of performance and aesthetics.”
Tom van Aken, CEO of Avantium, remarked: “This partnership with LVMH and Tereos is an exciting step in our journey to bring releaf® to market at scale. It builds on our successful existing collaboration and reflects a shared commitment to accelerating the transition to renewable materials. By uniting expertise across luxury, agriculture, and green chemistry, we are not only advancing circular innovation but also laying the groundwork for a European industrial ecosystem that supports sustainable packaging and textile solutions.”
