Origin Materials, Inc, a pioneering carbon negative materials company, is driving the transition to sustainable materials in the food and drink packaging industry. In a notable development, Origin has successfully incorporated the sustainable chemical FDCA (furandicarboxylic acid) into PET (polyethylene terephthalate) for advanced packaging and other applications.
Origin achieved this milestone by polymerizing the bio-based sustainable chemical FDCA into PET, and working in collaboration with Husky Technologies, molded the resulting “PET/F” hybrid polymer into preforms that were then blown into bottles. By leveraging Husky’s injection molding technologies and manufacturing equipment, Origin effectively integrated FDCA-based PET into existing PET production systems.
The aim of Origin is to introduce a family of 100% bio-based, low-carbon PET/F polymers that are fully recyclable and offer superior performance compared to conventional petroleum-derived PET. These innovative polymers, made possible by the inclusion of FDCA, can be tailored to deliver enhanced mechanical performance and superior barrier properties, resulting in longer shelf life. This tunability is achieved by adjusting manufacturing conditions and the quantity of FDCA copolymer.
This breakthrough in polymer development demonstrates the viability of FDCA for producing cost-effective, sustainable polymers from biomass using Origin’s patented technology platform. Origin plans to scale up the production of FDCA, PEF (polyethylene furanoate), and PET/F, using its unique process that converts carbon from sustainable wood residues into valuable materials while also capturing carbon emissions.
“We consider this milestone to be crucial in the commercialization of low-carbon FDCA and PEF, paving the way for the next generation of sustainable polymers. We believe these materials possess the capability to revolutionize the plastics and material economy,” stated John Bissell, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Origin Materials. “We are delighted to collaborate with Husky, a trusted leader in injection molding technologies and polymer processing, to achieve this performance milestone and demonstrate the processing compatibility of our innovative hybrid polymers using Husky’s commercial-scale injection molding equipment. This achievement marks a significant step towards our goal of transitioning the world to sustainable materials.”
“At Husky, we are driven by innovation and sustainability, and constantly strive to contribute to the circular economy of plastics,” said John Galt, CEO of Husky Technologies. “We prioritize the preservation and protection of what matters, and our collaboration with Origin Materials is an exciting example of bringing together material innovation and state-of-the-art polymer processing technologies.”
FDCA is a versatile chemical building block with a wide range of applications in polyesters, polyamides, polyurethanes, coating resins, and plasticizers. In addition, FDCA serves as a precursor for PEF, a next-generation sustainable polymer. By combining FDCA with PET, Origin has created PET/F, a hybrid polymer that offers tunable performance enhancements and full recyclability.
PEF, derived from FDCA, emerges as an attractive solution for sustainable packaging. Origin’s PEF is expected to be 100% bio-based, fully recyclable, economically viable, and boast a significantly reduced carbon footprint. It also offers improved strength, thermal properties, and barrier properties compared to conventional petroleum-based materials.