- Stora Enso invested EUR 9 million in a bioplastics pilot plant in Belgium.
- Initial production will start by year-end 2022, aiming for commercialization by 2026.
- The plant will produce FDCA, a key component of bioplastic PEF, using FuraCore® technology.
- The facility will initially use fructose, with plans to switch to non-food biomass.
Investment and Objectives
In December 2019, Stora Enso announced a EUR 9 million investment to build a pilot facility in Belgium for bioplastics production. The goal is to test FuraCore®, a technology to produce furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), a key component of bioplastic PEF (PolyEthylene Furanoate).
Timeline and Production
Construction of the plant has been completed, and commissioning is underway. Initial production is set to start by the end of 2022, with plans to move towards regular production of FDCA and PEF with partners, aiming for commercialization by 2026.
Next Steps
The next phase involves ensuring stable operations and collecting data for scaling up. Once sufficient samples are available, Stora Enso will collaborate with partners and potential customers to validate FuraCore® products in various applications.
Raw Materials
The pilot facility will initially use industrially available sugar (fructose) to produce high-value chemicals and materials for testing. Future plans include using sugars extracted from wood and other non-food-based biomass.
Strategic Location
Located at the Langerbrugge recycled paper mill near Ghent, the facility benefits from access to skilled personnel and critical service providers in the Flanders region, a hub for the bio-based economy. Its proximity to Brussels facilitates partner visits.
