07/06/2026
🔬 New from the CBE JU-funded project highlights the potential of polyethylene furanoate (PEF) to reduce the environmental footprint of plastic packaging.
A new peer-reviewed life cycle assessment evaluates Avantium’s plant-based polymer PEF, branded as releaf®, across its full life cycle, from production to end-of-life, including recycling.
The study shows that PEF can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 71% at resin level and up to 88% in 500 mL beverage bottle applications, compared to conventional PET under representative European conditions.
The findings also underline that renewable carbon and recycling are complementary approaches: recycling reduces demand for virgin material, while renewable carbon helps reduce the impact of the material itself.
