Aquafil and Genomatica announce the formation of Project EFFECTIVE, a multi-company collaboration to produce more sustainable fibers and plastics for commercial use by using renewable feedstocks and bio-based technologies. With participation from 12 companies, including brands like H&M, Carvico, Vaude and Balsan, Project EFFECTIVE is one of the broadest industrial-driven efforts to reshape entire product value chains and drive economic growth.
One of the key objectives of Project EFFECTIVE is to develop a more sustainable nylon, made from bio-based caprolactam produced using renewable feedstocks. The nylon will be validated by brands to make apparel and carpet textiles.
Engaging brands at the beginning
An advantage of Project EFFECTIVE is the early involvement of major consumer brands, allowing them to contribute valuable customer- and industry-driven perspectives. This brand participation is expected to facilitate broader and faster adoption of sustainable technologies and products. Brands will better understand what monomers, polymers and sustainability initiatives are commercially available, enabling them to develop more effective plans with suppliers regarding bio-based ingredients and materials.
Participants and funding
Project EFFECTIVE’s stakeholders span eight countries and are leaders in renewable feedstocks, conversion technologies, makers of intermediate and finished products, major consumer brands and recycling technologies. Participants include Aquafil, Genomatica, H&M, Carvico, Vaude, Balsan, Circular Change, Life Cycle Engineering, Bio-Mi, Südzucker, Fundación CIRCE, and Novamont.
The initiative is funded in part through a grant from the Bio-Based Industries Joint Undertaking, a public/private partnership between the European Union’s Horizon 2020 program and the Bio-based Industries Consortium. Aquafil and Genomatica’s agreement announced in early 2018 will pave the way toward the industrial production of bio-based nylon.
Supporting quotes
“This consortium is an important step toward a more circular economy,” said Giulio Bonazzi, Chairman and CEO of Aquafil. “Together we will drive new waves of healthy industrialization, economic growth, and greater sustainability – better than we can individually.”
“More renewables in product value chains means more impact,” said Christophe Schilling, CEO of Genomatica. “More and more manufacturers and brands get it; more and more are taking action. We look forward to rapidly expanding the circle of action.”
About Aquafil
Since 1965 Aquafil has been one of the leading players, both in Italy and globally, in the production of polyamide 6 (nylon 6). The Aquafil Group has a presence in eight countries on three continents, employing more than 2,700 staff at 15 plants located in Italy, Germany, Scotland, Slovenia, Croatia, the USA, Thailand and China. For more information, visit www.aquafil.com.
About Genomatica
Genomatica is a widely-recognized leader in bioengineering and aims to lead a transition to more sustainable materials. It develops bio-based process technologies that enable a better way to produce widely-used chemicals, from alternative feedstocks, with better economics, sustainability and performance. Genomatica has earned widespread acclaim for its technology and has already commercialized processes for two important chemicals, butanediol (for biodegradable plastics and apparel) and butylene glycol (cosmetics and personal care). Awards include the Kirkpatrick Award, for “the most noteworthy chemical engineering technology commercialized in the world” and the ICIS Innovation Award for its Brontide™ butylene glycol. To learn more, visit www.genomatica.com.
Contacts
Aquafil:
Maria Giovanna Sandrini
E-Mail: maria.giovanna.sandrini@aquafil.com
Genomatica: Steve Weiss
E-Mail: sweiss@genomatica.com
Phone: +1.858.210.4424
Source
Genomatica, Aquafil, joint press release, 2018-05-22.
Supplier
Aquafil S.p.A.
Bio-based Industries (BBI) Joint Undertaking
Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC)
Carvico JL
Geno (formerly Genomatica, Inc.)
H & M
Horizon 2020
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