Weekly Roundup: Avantium lands €3M EU funding, TotalEnergies announces advanced recycling project in Texas

20 May 2022 --- This week in packaging, Avantium was awarded €3 million (US$3.17 million) to demonstrate the value of CO2 conversion into high-value chemicals, and TotalEnergies joined New Hope Energy to build an advanced recycling facility in Texas, US. Meanwhile, Avery Dennison and Wiliot announced a partnership to take the Internet of Things (IoT) to the “next level.” 

In brief: Business news
The EU Horizon Europe program awarded Avantium a €3 million (US$3.17 million) grant for its participation in the four-year R&D program WaterProof. This program aims to demonstrate the value of electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide into high-value chemicals and products. The grant will be paid out in tranches to Avantium over a period of four years. 

In brief: Partnerships and collaborations 
TotalEnergies and New Hope Energy announced a commercial agreement under which New Hope Energy will build an advanced recycling plant in Texas, US, to turn end-of-life plastic waste into a recycled feedstock that TotalEnergies will partly purchase and convert into virgin-quality polymers, which can be used for food-grade packaging. The plant is expected to start production in 2025 and will convert more than 310,000 metric tons per year of mixed plastic waste that would otherwise be destined for landfill or incineration. 

The Selfy Store intelligent cabinets.Avery Dennison and Wiliot announced a strategic partnership dedicated to scaling IoT to the “next level,” creating a new era of IoT that benefits people and the planet. Avery Dennison will leverage its R&D capabilities and scale to design and manufacture second-generation Wiliot tags, which are stamp-sized computers powered by Bluetooth that attach to any product or packaging to embed it with intelligence and connectivity to create more agile, profitable, and sustainable supply chains.

Coveris announced it would provide recyclable bags for French pet food company Ultra Premium Direct. Coveris’ MonoFlexE monomaterial solution offers product protection and achieves premium shelf appeal. The premade bags are manufactured from a single material PE, which allows for easier recycling. They also guarantee the same properties as standard PET/PE materials, preservation and freshness of the food, keeping all the organoleptic properties of the kibbles for better taste. 

In brief: Launches and releases 
Selfly Store expanded its range of radiofrequency identification-enabled micro-stores designed for contactless on-the-go purchasing. Selfly Store enables hotels, offices, and other venues to offer meals and snacks cost-efficiently as the intelligent cabinets are unmanned and fully digitalized. The new range consists of three intelligent cabinets suitable for different end uses: Selfly Fresh, designed for goods stored at room temperature; Selfly Cool, refrigerated meals and snacks; and Selfly Frozen for frozen items.

In brief: Trade shows and exhibitions 
Westrock Coffee Holdings announced it would exhibit its newest lineup of beverage solutions at the National Restaurant Association Show, the premier restaurant industry conference held in Chicago, US, May 21-24. Featured beverage solutions that will be demonstrated at the conference include: Flavored lemonade concentrates, espresso drinks including “Effortless Espresso,” chai tea concentrates, and ready-to-drink cans including cold brew and flash brew items. 

By Louis Gore-Langton