Page 28 - Plastics News November 2019

CompAny news

Avantium Starts up Demo Plant Marico and Future Retail launch

for Bio-Based Meg Technology Plastic Recycling Program

utch renewable chemicals arico, in line with its commitment to sustainability,
Dcompany A vantium Mhas announced its
has opened its plant-based partnership with Future
MEG (mono-ethylene glycol) Retail’s format Big Bazaar
demonstration plant in Chemie to launch a plastic recycling
Park Delfzijl, the Netherlands. program ‘Plastic Lao Paise
MEG is a vital ingredient for Kamao’. Aligned with the
the production of PET and PEF national agenda on plastic
plastics and polyester textiles. waste management, this
Today, more than 99% of MEG initiative is aimed at
is produced from fossil resources and the market demand building awareness amongst
for this product is expected to grow from 28 million to 50 consumers around plastic
million tonnes in the next 20 years.In order to help brands recycling and encourages them to take an active role.
and companies transition to a more renewable world, The program enables consumers to submit plastic
Avantium has utilised its “Ray Technology” to produce bottles across 21 key Big Bazaar outlets in and around
plant-based MEG at its demo plant. In a statement, it also Mumbai. For each bottle that is submitted, Marico
said that its technology was cost competitive to fossil- in association with Future Retail offers INR 10 to
based MEG. The plant will also produce plant-based MPG consumers, which is instantly credited to their Future
(mono-propylene glycol) which is used in a diverse set Pay wallet and can be redeemed against their purchase.
of industries such as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food The incentive provided is for all products of Marico
flavouring and de-icing. The facility can produce around Limited and also for products of Future Consumer
10 tonnes of plant-based MPG and MEG per year. Avantium Limited, irrespective of the size of the bottle. The
program will be supported by in-store announcements
CEO Tom van Aken said the inauguration of the company’s through radio jingles, shelf wobblers, collection
plant-based MEG plant was a special milestone, adding: units, posters, as well as promotional messages that
“We are the first company in this industry to have brought will be shared with customers. Commenting on the
three technologies to demonstration stage – our YXY partnership with Future Retail, Jitendra Mahajan,
Technology, Dawn Technology and now our Ray Technology.” Chief Operating Officer- Supply Chain & IT, Marico
He added: “We started off in the lab and have worked hard Limited, said, “This initiative is part of Marico’s
and diligently to develop our Ray Technology to the point broader vision and commitment to address plastic
where we can now scale it and demonstrate it at our new waste management. While 94 percent of Marico’s
demo plant. We are fulfilling our dream to help develop packaging material used is recyclable, we need to do
polyesters that are truly renewable.” Van Aken went on to more. Managing plastic waste is a complex challenge
say that there was very strong demand for plant-based MEG and needs collective action engaging consumers and
as it was a fast-growing market. He also said that brand other stakeholders. We are very happy to join hands
owners were seeking alternatives to fossil fuel-based MEG with Future Retail to drive the plastic circular economy
at cost competitive prices. The end-to-end plant-based Ray agenda aligned to the “Swachhatha Hi Seva” mission
Technology demonstration plant will cover all process steps of the Government. Through this initiative, we wish
in converting industrial sugars to glycols, allowing for the to create awareness about plastic waste pollution and
production of MEG and MPG samples that are representative drive change in the consumers’ behaviour”. Speaking
of the final product from subsequent commercial-scale about the partnership, Sadashiv Nayak, Business Head,
plants. Renewable Chemistries is Avantium’s business unit Big Bazaar, said,“Every material has a value through-out
with a portfolio of innovative technology projects focusing its life cycle, it is this circular economy approach that
on the conversion of biomass to chemical building blocks encourages customers, businesses and the industry to
and green materials like plastics. participate as champions of change.

Plastics News November 2019 28