Dutch renewable materials company Avantium has announced a capacity reservation agreement with Packamama, a producer of sustainable wine packaging with operations in the UK and Australia.
Under the agreement, Packamama will secure the future supply of Avantium’s polyethylene furanoate (PEF), a polymer made from plant sources and branded as releaf.
Production of this polymer will rely on Avantium’s YXY Technology.
Packamama, whose wine bottles are made from recycled PET and designed to be lightweight, shatterproof and space-efficient, will use releaf to further reduce dependence on traditional packaging materials such as glass and conventional plastics.
Packamama founder and CEO Santiago Navarro said: “Packamama is delighted to partner with Avantium to bring the plant-based polymer releaf into our wine bottle solutions.
“We have been searching for a material that meets our performance standards and sustainability requirements, and is made from plants. We believe that releaf offers a unique combination of high performance, environmental responsibility, and appealing consumer messaging.”
The use of releaf is expected to align with industry efforts to introduce packaging with a lower carbon footprint.
The material is described as recyclable and possessing barrier properties aimed at maintaining wine quality.
To support this transition, Packamama has received an A$1m ($669,048.48) grant from the Australian Government through the Business Research and Innovation Initiative (BRII).
It is intended to support the company’s decarbonisation push in the domestic wine packaging sector.
Avantium commercial director Bineke Posthumus said: “Packamama’s innovative approach to wine packaging and commitment to sustainability make them an ideal partner for Avantium.
“Their decision to test and adopt releaf is a strong endorsement of our material’s potential to transform into iconic, premium packaging applications. We look forward to working closely with Packamama to drive meaningful progress in sustainable packaging.”
Last November, Avantium entered a capacity reservation agreement with packaging company Logoplaste for its releaf brand.
