European Chemical Industry News & Insights

SCGC and Avantium Partner to Develop Carbon-Negative Plastic Pilot Plant

At a glance
  • SCGC and Avantium will develop a pilot plant with a capacity of 10 tonnes per annum.
  • The goal is to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2030.
  • The partnership focuses on developing PLGA, a carbon-negative plastic.
  • The pilot plant aims to scale up production of glycolic acid monomer and PLGA polyester within two years.

Partnership Announcement

SCG Chemicals Public Company Limited (SCGC) has partnered with Avantium N.V., a technology provider in renewable chemistry from the Netherlands. The collaboration aims to develop carbon-negative plastic (PLGA) and scale up to a pilot plant with a capacity of 10 tonnes per annum.

Goals and Objectives

SCGC aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2030. The partnership will focus on developing PLGA, a sustainable and high-performance material. SCGC has been impressed with the sustainability and performance characteristics of PLGA.

Technology and Development

Avantium's Volta Technology uses electrochemistry to convert CO2 into high-value products, including glycolic acid. By combining glycolic acid with lactic acid, PLGA is produced. This polymer offers excellent barrier properties, recyclability, and compostability.

Next Steps

Since early 2023, SCGC and Avantium have been evaluating PLGA. Avantium has produced various PLGA samples, which have been assessed at SCGC’s Norner AS facility. The two companies have now agreed to establish a Joint Development Agreement to further evaluate and scale up PLGA production within the next two years.