Scientists have learned how to make plastic from orange peel and beet leftovers

PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and other polyesters are widely used in food packaging, plastic bottles

and textile products.Annual production of PET products is estimated at 30 million tons. The technology developed in Finland makes it possible to replace plastics based on PET - polyethylene terephthalate. The carbon footprint of plastic bottles can be reduced by 50% by replacing the original PET material with PEF (polyethylene furanoate) polymers.

Moreover, the barrier properties of PEF plasticsbetter than polyethylene terephthalate. This means that food products will be stored longer. PEF is a fully recyclable and renewable high-quality plastic. 

“In the near future, you can buyorange juice in bottles made from orange peel. The new VTT technology provides a circular approach to using food waste to produce high-quality food packaging material and at the same time reduce greenhouse gas emissions, ”says practice professor Holger Pöhler from VTT.

VTT technology has advantages inproduction of PEF plastics on a biological basis. The process uses a stable intermediate to produce 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid, one of the PEF monomers. In addition, the use of waste containing pectin opens up new opportunities for the circular economy of plastics.

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