NatureWorks and Avantium partner for bio-polymers

NatureWorks and Avantium, two sustainable materials suppliers, have formed a partnership dedicated to understanding the properties and commercial potential of a new generation of polymers made from renewable resources.

The partnership is based on Avantium’s work in deriving monomers and polymers from non food biomass and on NatureWorks’ success in developing a wide range of end markets and products for its Ingeo biopolymer. Avantium calls this class of bio-based polymers Furanics, and the companies believe this new class of products for both biofuels and plastics holds important promise because of the potential efficiencies in production, the wide availability and diversity of sources for biomass, and the versatility and performance of end products.

Initially, NatureWorks will be conducting in-house testing of a selection of Avantium’s polymers for a range of applications, such as personal electronics, automotive, fibers and other engineering plastics applications. The testing period is expected to last approximately one year.

‘We believe it is incumbent on us to investigate tomorrow’s potential solutions beginning today,’ said Marc Verbruggen, president and CEO of NatureWorks. ‘For example, development of NatureWorks Ingeo biopolymer began in the 1990s. Avantium’s work to date is impressive, and we look forward to a productive joint collaboration.’

‘Our new partnership with NatureWorks will provide us with highly relevant insights into the potential of Furanics in a wide range of applications,’ said Tom van Aken, CEO of Avantium. ‘NatureWorks’ experience in commercializing new polymers combined with our proprietary technology may result in a new sustainable alternative to petroleum based products. This agreement is an important step towards the commercialization of our Furanics bioplastics.’

Click here for more stories about NatureWorks on L&L.com.