PEF has enhanced barrier, mechanical and thermal properties compared to today’s widely used
petroleum-based polymers. The barrier properties of PEF, which are ~10x better for O₂, ~15x better
for CO₂ and ~2.5x better for water than PET, represent a revolutionary opportunity compared with traditional packaging solutions regarding performance, price, and sustainability when produced at scale. The improved barrier properties lead to a longer shelf life of packaged products. PEF also offers higher mechanical strength, which means that thinner PEF packaging can be produced and fewer resources are required.
In terms of thermal properties, PEF has superior ability to withstand heat and can be processed at lower temperatures. PEF has enhanced mechanical stiffness and allows for increasing shaping possibilities.

This figure shows the relevant life cycle stages of monolayer PEF bottles from cradle-to-grave: from the biomass cultivation (wheat for fructose and sugarcane for bio-MEG feedstocks supply) to the production of PEF-based bottles including their end-of-life options (recycling and incineration).
It is foreseen that the commercialisation of PEF-based products will initially take place in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. In these countries, the rates for average PET bottle waste collection and recycling are relatively high and landfilling is no longer practiced in these countries.