Avantium takes next step and signs contract with AkzoNobel for pilot biorefinery in Delfzijl

Avantium and AkzoNobel have signed a contract for the pilot plant accommodation and the supply of various facilities and services

Avantium, a leading chemical technology company and forerunner in renewable chemistry, locates a new pilot biorefinery at Chemie Park Delfzijl, the Netherlands. Avantium and AkzoNobel have signed a contract for the pilot plant accommodation and the supply of various facilities and services.

The pilot plant will validate the technical and economic feasibility of Avantium’s Zambezi process, which aims to convert woodchips and other second generation biomass into raw materials for the chemical industry. This is an essential step in scaling up the technology from lab to commercial operations. The pilot plant will be located at the Chemie Park Delfzijl, a part of Chemport Europe and is supported by the Groningen province. The plant is expected to be operational in the second quarter of 2018 with Avantium’s Zambezi project on track. This milestone achievement will lead to the employment of approximately 20 people.

Tom van Aken, CEO of Avantium: “Delfzijl is an excellent location for the ongoing development of our Zambezi technology. Beyond the pilot plant, the Chemie Park Delfzijl is a high consideration for the future construction of a commercial Zambezi biorefinery. This reference plant is currently being developed with our partners, AkzoNobel, Chemport Europe, RWE and Staatsbosbeheer. The Chemie Park Delfzijl offers all the necessities to operate our pilot plant through excellent collaboration with AkzoNobel and support from the Groningen province.”

Knut Schwalenberg, CEO of AkzoNobel Netherlands: “With this contract we take a next step expanding the Delfzijl site from its traditional chemical production into biobased and green chemistry. The technology which Avantium brings to Delfzijl complements our own biobased projects on the site in support of the sustainable development of AkzoNobel’s Specialty Chemicals business.”

In February 2017, Avantium announced a partnership with AkzoNobel, Chemport Europe, RWE and Staatsbosbeheer for the development of a reference plant at the Chemie Park Delfzijl to convert woodchips to renewable chemical building blocks.

This biorefinery will be based on a new technology that has been developed by Avantium. The Zambezi process aims for a cost-effective process for the production of high-purity glucose, lignin and a mixed sugar syrup from non-food, second generation biomass. The reference plant will predominantly use forestry residue sourced from the Netherlands.

Glucose is required for the manufacture of products including vitamins, enzymes and other biobased chemicals and raw materials. Lignin is an excellent feedstock for renewable energy and other applications, while the mixed sugar syrup is a good feedstock for the production of ethanol and other biofuels.

 

About Avantium

Avantium is a leading chemical technology company and a forerunner in renewable chemistry. Together with its partners around the world, Avantium develops efficient processes and sustainable products made from biobased materials. Avantium offers a breeding ground for revolutionary renewable chemistry solutions. From invention to commercially viable production processes. One of Avantium’s success stories is YXY technology, with which it created PEF: a completely new, high-quality plastic made from plant-based industrial sugars. Since October 2016 all YXY activities have been transferred to Synvina, the joint venture of Avantium and BASF. Avantium is also working on a host of other ground-breaking projects such as the Zambezi process, and provides advanced catalysis research services and systems to the leading chemical and petrochemical companies. Avantium shares are listed on Euronext Amsterdam and Euronext Brussels (symbol: AVTX), its offices and headquarters are based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

About Chemport Europe

Changing the nature of chemistry – In Chemport Europe, agricultural and chemical businesses, knowledge institutions, and regional and national governments work closely together to capitalize on opportunities that are created by market demand for sustainable products and processes. The Northern Netherlands strives to develop Chemport Europe into an important green port with one of the most sustainable chemical clusters in Europe by 2030. This ambition is facilitated by a strong bio-based chemical and recycling cluster and by the link between the energy sector and the agricultural sector in the region. All these elements turn Chemport Europe into an extremely attractive location for new initiatives and businesses.

Source

Avantium, press release, 2017-07-18.

Supplier

AkzoNobel Corporate
Avantium Technologies B.V.
Chemie Park Delfzijl
Chemport Europe
Essent Power - RWE
Staatsbosbeheer

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