Origin Materials Teams Up with Terphane to Produce Sustainable High-Performance Bio-Polymer Films

Origin Materials, a prominent carbon-negative materials company dedicated to facilitating the global transition toward sustainable materials, has joined forces with Terphane, a subsidiary of Tredegar Corporation known for its expertise in specialty PET polyester films ("BOPET"). This strategic collaboration aims to manufacture environmentally friendly high-performance bio-polymer films.

Under this partnership, Terphane has entered into a multi-year capacity reservation agreement to acquire the advanced bio-polymer PEF for incorporation into various film applications. These applications encompass a wide range of sectors such as food and beverage packaging, as well as valuable industrial uses. The bio-polymer PEF, once integrated into the films, exhibits properties that align with customer demands, including strength, transparency, efficient barrier capabilities, and effective electrical insulation.

Rich Riley, Co-CEO of Origin Materials, expressed his satisfaction with the collaboration, stating, "We are delighted to establish this partnership with Terphane, a highly trusted global leader in the realm of films, boasting an extensive network of customers and partners." Riley further emphasized the joint endeavor's aim to develop advanced products that not only elevate performance but also contribute to the realization of a net-zero material economy. This partnership signifies a significant advancement in Origin's overarching mission of facilitating the world's shift toward sustainable materials.

Marcos Vieira, the Global Director of R&D at Terphane, underscored the importance of the film's development in meeting the growing global demand for sustainable flexible packaging solutions. Vieira elaborated on the film's composition, highlighting its partial reliance on PEF and its retention of all the typical attributes associated with conventional PET films. Notably, the PEF-based film retains post-consumption recycling capabilities while offering enhanced thermal resistance and superior barrier performance. These characteristics result in extended shelf life for packaged products. Vieira also noted successful initial tests of the material within extrusion lines in the United States. Origin Materials' groundbreaking patented technology platform holds the potential to revolutionize the commercial viability of cost-effective and low-carbon PEF. Derived from furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), a primary precursor to PEF, Origin PEF emerges as a polymer characterized by a compelling blend of sustainability and performance traits. These include heightened barrier properties crucial for packaging applications. Notably, Origin PEF is envisioned to be entirely plant-based, fully recyclable, and economically attractive. It promises to substantially reduce carbon emissions, offering enhanced strength, thermal characteristics, and barrier attributes compared to prevalent petroleum-based materials. The collaborative efforts between Origin Materials and Terphane serve as a beacon of progress toward a more sustainable and eco-conscious future within the realm of materials production and applications.