The tactical partnership between Origin Materials and Sustainea has been set up to focus on the development of 100% bio-based PET and polyesters. The partnership will utilise Origin Material’s bio-based PTA and FDCA, and Sustainea’s bioMEG.

Origin is the world’s leading carbon negative materials company; they are dedicated to driving the world’s transition to sustainable materials and making this transition as easy as possible. Sustainea is a company actively engaged in working with sustainable chemistry, they aim to become the global leader in bioMEG and revolutionise the bottles and textiles market through using renewable chemicals, to create a positive environmental impact.

The partnership included Origin expecting to generate bio-based FDCA and bio-based PTA using its patented technology platform. The platform upcycles carbon, which is found in the remainder of sustainable wood, and simultaneously captures carbon. This plan to produce bio-based FDCA and bio-based PTA, brought in the other half of the partnership, which was Sustainea signing two multi-year capacity reservation agreements. This agreement enables them to purchase Origin’s renewable chemicals, this includes bio-based PTA and bio-based FDCA.

PTA is an essential feedstock for a wide variety of market applications such as PET polyester packaging, clothing, textiles, plastics, tires and car parts, carpeting, and toys. FDCA is a raw material whose commercial applications include surfactants, epoxy resins, and the polymer PEF (polyethylene furanoate).

“We are thrilled to partner with Sustainea, a joint venture formed by two innovative global companies: Braskem, the largest thermoplastic resin producer in the Americas and a global pioneer in biopolymers, and Sojitz, a Japan-oriented global trading company with wide-ranging market networks and a strong presence in Asia,” said Origin Materials Co-CEO Rich Riley. “Through Sustainea, Braskem and Sojitz aim to be the global leader in bioMEG production. Since bioMEG and bio-PTA are both necessary for making 100% bio-based PET, we are strongly aligned to create a low-carbon future for polymers, including bio-PET and advanced bio-based polymers integrating FDCA. We are excited about this powerful strategic partnership on the cutting edge of renewable materials.”

“We are very excited to join forces with Origin on the pathway to a low carbon future,” stated Gustavo Sergi, CEO of Sustainea. “Bringing to the market bioMEG and bioPET has always been our ambition and the partnership with Origin represents an important step towards this goal. The polyester and PET markets grow 3.5 million tons every year, so we have an important mission to develop our operation to supply the industry as soon as possible. From textiles to bottles, our bioMEG and bioPET will be there to be quickly absorbed by the market as a drop-in solution. Finally, these biopolymers are not only bio-based but also fully recyclable. This will contribute to a circular economy and to the reduction of CO2 emissions.”