Paques Biomaterials to Produce Biopolymer at GETEC PARK.EMMEN
- A PHA demo plant will be operational in 2023.
- A commercial extraction plant is scheduled for 2026.
- The total investment is estimated at €58 million.
- The plant will produce polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) from organic waste streams.
Investment and Timeline
Paques Biomaterials will build a PHA extraction demo plant at GETEC PARK.EMMEN, operational in 2023, with a commercial extraction plant scheduled for 2026. The total investment for both plants is estimated at €58 million, creating around 40 jobs.
Biopolymer Production
Paques Biomaterials has developed a process to produce polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), a fully biodegradable biopolymer, from organic waste streams. PHA serves as an alternative to conventional non-biodegradable oil-based plastics used in various industries such as paints, clothing, cosmetics, and agriculture.
Demo Plant and Commercial Plant
The demo plant aims to validate the full-scale design of the extraction process. The final investment decision for the commercial plant is expected in 2024, with a planned capacity of 6 ktonnes of PHA per year.
Location and Ecosystem
The commercial extraction plant will be located on a 3.2-hectare plot between GETEC PARK.EMMEN and the ring road. This business park focuses on circular economy and green chemistry, aligning well with Paques Biomaterials' activities.
Strategic Choice for Emmen
Emmen was chosen for its innovation ecosystem, focus on greening the chemical industry, access to well-trained staff, and GETEC's facilities and sustainability focus. The development of the Greenwise Campus also played a role in the decision.