Avantium trials PEF in shot-size beverage bottles with Gepack and Frubaça

Project overview

Avantium is collaborating with bottle maker Gepack and beverage producer Frubaça to demonstrate polyethylene furanoate (PEF, brand name releaf®) in small-format bottles for functional beverage shots. The project brings partners across the value chain together to validate the application in a shot-format category.

Material focus and expected benefits

PEF is a plant-based, recyclable material positioned to offer improved barrier performance over conventional fossil-based plastics. The partners aim to assess how PEF supports product protection, extends shelf life and contributes to lowering the environmental impact of packaging for shot-size beverages.

Roles and validation scope

Gepack, a Portugal-based PET bottle manufacturer, will produce the bottles which Frubaça will fill for shot-based applications. The collaboration focuses on validating processing and performance across the full production chain, from bottle manufacturing to filling.

Partner perspectives

Lígia Passos, Head of R&D at Gepack, said: “This project demonstrates how new materials can be integrated into existing bottle production processes.” Bineke Posthumus, Commercial Director at Avantium, said: “Collaborating across the value chain is essential to assess how new materials perform in real applications. This project allows us to evaluate PEF across the full process, in a compact and distinctive shot format - a category that combines strong consumer appeal with a real need for high‑performance, more sustainable packaging.”