Avantium partners with Sojitz Pla-Net to drive adoption of releaf® in the Japanese market
AMSTERDAM, 8 September 2026, 18:00 hrs CEST – Avantium N.V., a leader in renewable and circular polymer materials, today announced a strategic partnership with Sojitz Pla-Net Corporation to drive the adoption of Avantium's plant-based materials FDCA and PEF (marketed under the releaf® brand), in the Japanese market. The partnership combines Avantium’s innovative technology with Sojitz Pla-Net’s extensive commercial network and expertise in plastics, packaging materials and sustainable solutions. As one of Japan’s leading plastics trading companies and part of the Sojitz Group, Sojitz Pla-Net will support market development and customer engagement for releaf® across Japan, while also exploring opportunities to jointly develop business with customers and partners in international markets.
FDCA (furandicarboxylic acid) is a plant-based building block for the production of PEF (polyethylene furanoate), Avantium’s flagship polymer marketed under the releaf® brand. PEF is plant-based, recyclable and offers superior barrier properties compared with conventional plastics, making it an attractive material for packaging, textiles, consumer goods and other high-performance applications.
Japan is a key market for sustainable materials, driven by increasing demand for renewable and circular packaging solutions. Through this partnership, Avantium and Sojitz Pla-Net aim to accelerate awareness and adoption of releaf® among Japanese brand owners, converters, packaging producers and other value chain partners. As a first step in their collaboration, Avantium and Sojitz Pla-Net will jointly participate in Sustainable Material Expo (SUSMA) 2026, taking place from 30 September to 2 October 2026 in Chiba, Japan, one of Japan’s leading exhibitions for sustainable materials. At the event, the companies will showcase a range of PEF applications and engage with prospective customers and partners interested in next-generation plant-based materials.
Yuzhong Chen, Business Development Manager Asia at Avantium, commented: "Japan has long been an important market for Avantium, with strong interest in sustainable, high-performance materials. We are pleased to partner with Sojitz Pla-Net, whose extensive market knowledge, customer relationships and sustainability focus make them an ideal partner to further expand opportunities for FDCA and PEF. While our initial focus is on Japan, we also look forward to exploring broader opportunities together through the international Sojitz network."
About Sojitz Pla-Net
Sojitz Pla-Net Corporation is a leading Japanese trading company specializing in plastics, packaging materials and sustainable material solutions. As a core operating company for the plastics-related businesses of the Sojitz Group, Sojitz Pla-Net serves customers across a wide range of industries, including packaging, consumer goods, mobility and electronics. The company provides access to conventional, recycled and renewable materials and supports customers in developing solutions that address evolving sustainability requirements. With its extensive industry expertise, customer network and commitment to advancing circular and low-carbon materials, Sojitz Pla-Net plays an important role in the transition towards a more sustainable plastics value chain.
About Avantium
Avantium is a pioneering commercial-stage company focused on renewable & circular polymer materials. Avantium develops and commercializes innovative technologies for the production of materials based on sustainable carbon feedstocks. 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). PEF is known under the brand name releaf®, an EU registered trademark of Avantium. Avantium has successfully demonstrated the YXY® Technology at its pilot plant in Geleen, the Netherlands, and is in the process of starting the world's first commercial plant for FDCA in Delfzijl, the Netherlands. Avantium works in partnership with like-minded companies around the globe to develop 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.
For more information:
Caroline van Reedt Dortland, Director Communications
+31-20-5860110 / +31-613400179
mediarelations@avantium.com
Aarne Luten, Director Investor Relations
+31-625687714
ir@avantium.com
