Finnish institute makes PEF from citrus peels

The shift from fossil to renewable bio-plastics requires new efficient methods. The Finnish research institute VTT has developed a new technology to use pectin-containing agricultural waste, such as citrus peelings and sugar beet pulp, as a raw material for biobased PEF plastics, as an alternative to fossil PET.

PET and other polyesters are widely used in food packaging, plastic bottles and textiles. Annual production is estimated at 30 million tons. Replacing fossil-based PET with vegetable-based PEF polymers can reduce the carbon footprint of the products by 50%. In addition, the barrier properties of PEF plastics are better, making the food products last longer. PEF is a fully recyclable and renewable high quality plastic. 

Professor Holger Pöhler of VTT: "In the near future, you will be able to buy orange juice in bottles made from orange peel."

vttresearch.com