A new method for producing plant-based drinking bottles
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland has developed a method for producing furan dicarboxylic acid (FDCA) from plant sugars for the production of drinking bottles, paints and industrial resins, which they claim is environmentally sound and economical. This technology enables production of plant-based products.
VTT’s new method provides a new route for the packaging and beverage industries to expand the use of renewable materials in their production. The Technical Research Centre has patented the method for producing furan dicarboxylic acid (FDCA), the monomer for PEF polymers, from sugar or sugar waste. Thanks to the solid acid catalyst and biobased solvent with short reaction time, the method is said to provide a considerable reduction of toxic waste compared to traditional methods.
The method can be scaled-up to industrial purposes without substantial investments, and it has already raised a lot of interest in industry. The R&D work has been funded by VTT and Tekes.
VTT will present the method in its “Green Plastics without the bio-premium”
webinar on 27th September, 2017
