VIRENT
Development of plant-based PX for PET production
US biotechnology company Virent (Madison, Wisconsin; www.virent.com) claims it has succeeded in making PX from 100% renewable plant sugars. Branded “BioFormPX99, the PX can be used to produce plant-based PET packaging and bottles. “Our plant-based PX paves the way for 100% sustainable, recyclable products and packaging with complete freedom from crude oil,” says CEO Lee Edwards.
BioFormPX is made using a patented, catalytic process which converts plant-based sugars into PX molecules identical to those made from petroleum, Virent says. “Our PX can be blended at any ratio the customer desires, and made from a wide variety of feedstocks, including sugar cane, corn, and woody biomass,” Edwards notes. The company is working with potential partners and customers to explore large-scale commercial options to augment its existing 10,000 gallon/year demonstration plant in Madison.
Earlier this year, food and beverage conglomerate PepsiCo (Purchase, New York / USA; www.pepsico.com) claimed it had developed the world’s first PET bottle made entirely from plant-based, fully renewable resources – see Plasteurope.com of 22.03.2011.
BioFormPX is made using a patented, catalytic process which converts plant-based sugars into PX molecules identical to those made from petroleum, Virent says. “Our PX can be blended at any ratio the customer desires, and made from a wide variety of feedstocks, including sugar cane, corn, and woody biomass,” Edwards notes. The company is working with potential partners and customers to explore large-scale commercial options to augment its existing 10,000 gallon/year demonstration plant in Madison.
Earlier this year, food and beverage conglomerate PepsiCo (Purchase, New York / USA; www.pepsico.com) claimed it had developed the world’s first PET bottle made entirely from plant-based, fully renewable resources – see Plasteurope.com of 22.03.2011.
13.06.2011 Plasteurope.com [219611-0]
Published on 13.06.2011