Avantium N.V., a frontrunner in renewable and circular polymer materials, is proud to announce that Japan has successfully implemented its Positive List system for food and drink packaging as of June 1, 2025. This system, an integral part of the Food Sanitation Law, now officially includes FDCA (2,5-furandicarboxylic acid) as an approved monomer. Consequently, PEF (polyethylene furanoate), a plant-based plastic derived from FDCA, is now authorized for food-contact applications in Japan, where only substances on the Positive List are accepted. This development signifies a significant advancement for sustainable packaging solutions in one of the world’s most influential markets.
Since its introduction in 2020, Japan’s Positive List (PL) system for synthetic resins has ensured that only safe and approved substances are utilized in food and drink sustainable packaging. The fully implemented Positive List system underscores the importance of the individual components used in producing plastics for food-contact materials. With FDCA now recognized on Japan’s Positive List, PEF can gain greater traction for sustainable food packaging across the Japanese market. This complements existing approvals already secured in Europe and the United States.
“This is an important milestone for Avantium’s FDCA and PEF,” stated Ana Sousa Dias, Manager of Product Stewardship and Regulatory Affairs at Avantium. “The implementation of the Positive List with FDCA not only validates the safety of our innovative materials, but also paves the way for broader adoption of PEF in food packaging in Japan. It marks an exciting step forward in bringing circular and renewable solutions to one of the world’s most advanced markets.”