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Avantium opens branch office in Japan to reinforce high-value market for PEF - Bio-based News -

Avantium Renewable Polymers confirms its strategy to turn to high-value applications for PEF (polyethylene furanoate) by establishing an Avantium branch office in Japan. This branch office will operate under the name Avantium Japan K.K and will help to accommodate the development and marketing of PEF in high-value applications in the innovative Japanese packaging and electronics market. Industry veteran and Japan expert Jan Waninge is appointed as representative director of Avantium Japan K.K.

Avantium has been active in the Japanese market for several years. Avantium Renewable Polymers has a long-term partnership with the Japanese chemical company Toyobo CO., LTD. for PEF polymerization and PEF film. Avantium also collaborates with Mitsui & Co., LTD. for the market development of PEF in high-value applications and the distribution of PEF to high-end Japanese consumer brands. Japan is considered to be the key market for introducing innovative and advanced materials. Now that Avantium is entering the commercialization phase for PEF, the establishment of the Avantium Japan branch office will provide local support for Avantium’s Japanese customers. Avantium Japan K.K. will serve as the office for regulatory affairs and business development in Japan.

Experienced chemicals executive Jan Waninge is appointed representative director of Avantium Japan K.K. Jan Waninge worked for 31 years at DSM in various senior business roles, of which nearly 13 years were spent in Japan.

Marcel Lubben, managing director of Avantium Renewable Polymers, comments: “The establishment of Avantium Japan K.K. shows not only our commitment to the Japanese market, but also shows our determination to develop high-value applications for PEF. Japan is a very innovative market, with a highly advanced packaging and electronics market. We have the ambition and expertise to bring PEF successfully to these high-value PEF markets and are very pleased that Jan Waninge will strengthen our team to lead our branch office in Japan.”

About AvantiumAvantium is a leading technology development company and a forerunner in renewable chemistry. Avantium develops novel technologies based on renewable carbon sources as an alternative to fossil- based chemicals and plastics. The company currently has three technologies at pilot and demonstration phase. The most advanced technology is the YXY® plant-to-plastics–technology that catalytically converts plant-based sugars into a wide range of chemicals and plastics, such as PEF (polyethylene furanoate). Avantium has successfully demonstrated the YXY Technology at its pilot plant in Geleen, the Netherlands. The second technology is the Dawn TechnologyTM that converts non-food biomass into industrial sugars and lignin in order to transition the chemicals and materials industries to non-fossil resources. In 2018, Avantium opened the DAWN pilot biorefinery in Delfzijl, the Netherlands. The third technology is called Ray TechnologyTM and catalytically converts industrial sugars to plant-based MEG (mono-ethylene glycol). Avantium is scaling up its Ray TechnologyTM and the demonstration plant in

Delfzijl, the Netherlands opened on November 7, 2019. Next to developing and commercializing renewable chemistry technologies, the company also provides advanced catalysis R&D services and systems to customers in the refinery and chemical industries. Avantium works in partnership with like- minded companies around the globe to create revolutionary renewable chemistry solutions from invention to commercial scale.

Avantium’s shares are listed on Euronext Amsterdam and Euronext Brussels (symbol: AVTX). Its offices and headquarters are in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Source: Avantium, press release, 2019-11-13.

Publication date: 19/11/2019

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This project has received funding from the Bio Based Industries Joint Undertaking under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 837761.