Avantium participates in innovative Hemp2Comp project: from hemp to composite materials
Amsterdam, 28 August 2024 – Avantium, a leader in renewable chemistry, is proud to announce its participation in the groundbreaking Hemp2Comp project. This initiative aims to revolutionize the composite materials industry by leveraging the environmental benefits of hemp and the innovative use of furanic humins, a byproduct of Avantium’s production of the plant-based, circular polymer PEF. For Avantium, this project serves as a pilot case for the application of furanic humins as a thermosetting binder in composite materials.
The Hemp2Comp project seeks to establish a local supply chain that ensures a stable market for fiber hemp, promoting sustainable agricultural practices. By substituting conventional fibers with hemp, Hemp2Comp aims to reduce the environmental impact of composite products. The project is set to develop at least five new biocomposite products using locally grown hemp and bioresin, opening up significant opportunities to replace glass fiber/polyester products with carbon-neutral or fully biobased alternatives.
Avantium Renewable Polymers will provide furanic humins as a binder, replacing traditional resins like epoxies and polyesters. This will enable the production of fully biobased composites, marking a significant step towards sustainable materials. For Avantium, this project acts as a pioneering trial for utilizing furanic humins as a thermosetting binder in composite materials.
The Hemp2Comp project will process both short and long hemp fibers, as well as a mixture of hemp fibers and shives, into various semi-finished products. These will be tested using different biocomposite production techniques, including pressing, infusion processes, and pultrusion. Throughout the development phase, the project will conduct analyses to maximize circular economy potential, including Global Warming Potential (GWP) assessments. The Hemp2Comp project will run from 1 March 2024 to 28 February 2027, paving the way for a sustainable future in composite materials.
The Hemp2Comp project is supported by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and by Interreg Vlaanderen-Nederland, a cross-border cooperation program that fosters collaboration between Flemish and Dutch regions to promote a better Europe.
For more information about the Hemp2Comp project:
Tom Claessen, Business Developer Humins
Tom.Claessen@avantium.com
About Avantium
Avantium is a pioneering commercial-stage company focused on renewable & circular polymer materials. Avantium develops and commercialises innovative technologies for the production of materials based on sustainable carbon feedstocks, i.e. carbon from biomass or carbon from the air (CO2). The most advanced technology is the YXY® Technology that catalytically converts plant-based sugars into FDCA (furandicarboxylic acid), the key building block for the sustainable plastic PEF (polyethylene furanoate). Avantium has successfully demonstrated the YXY® Technology at its pilot plant in Geleen, the Netherlands, and is currently constructing of the world's first commercial plant for FDCA. The official opening ceremony for the FDCA Flagship Plant is set on 22 October 2024. Avantium also provides R&D solutions in the field of sustainable chemistry and is the leading provider of advanced catalyst testing technology and services to accelerate catalyst R&D. Avantium works in partnership with like-minded companies around the globe to create revolutionary renewable chemistry solutions from invention to commercial scale.
Avantium’s shares are listed on Euronext Amsterdam and Euronext Brussels (symbol: AVTX). Avantium is incorporated in the Euronext Amsterdam SmallCap Index (AScX). Its offices and headquarters are in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
