Polyethylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate (PEF) is a bio-based polymer that is 100% recoverable and made from renewable raw materials sourced from plants. Often hailed as the next-generation polyester, PEF has shown great potential to replace polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a polymer derived from conventional synthetic resources. The unique properties of PEF make it an attractive alternative for various applications, especially in the packaging industry.
Advantages of PEF over PET
- Biodegradability: PEF biodegrades under industrial composting conditions at a much faster rate than PET, contributing to environmental sustainability.
- Gas barrier properties: PEF exhibits better gas barrier properties to oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor compared to PET, making it suitable for packaging applications such as bottles and food trays.
- Mechanical properties: PEF boasts excellent oxygen barrier and good mechanical properties, with higher tensile strength than PET while maintaining similar rigidity. This allows for the production of thinner, material-saving PEF bottles.
- Thermal properties: PEF can withstand higher temperatures and has a higher glass transition temperature, modulus, and melting point than PET, enhancing its overall durability.
- Renewability: PEF is produced using renewable plant sugars, in contrast to PET which relies on fossil fuels. This renewable source gives PEF added sustainability benefits.
- Recyclability: While PEF is theoretically recyclable, further infrastructure development is needed to fully integrate PEF recycling into existing PET recycling processes.
Applications of PEF
PEF is a versatile material that finds applications in various industries due to its sustainable and cost-effective properties. Here are some of the key applications of PEF:
PEF is suitable for use in water bottles, beverage bottles, and other packaging applications where sustainability and cost reduction are key considerations. PEF bottles are 100% biobased, transparent, and recyclable, offering a lightweight and thermally stable alternative to PET.
PEF films provide new opportunities in flexible packaging, with comparable thermo-mechanical and surface properties to BOPET-based packaging. Coated or metalized PEF films offer superior barrier properties compared to conventional substrates, and they can be recycled or used for clean energy recovery with reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
PEF fibers find applications in apparel, carpets, home furnishings, disposable commodities, fabrics, diapers, filters, and industrial fibers. The versatility of PEF fibers makes them suitable for various textile and non-textile applications.
PEF can be used as a coating material for paper, cardboard, and other packaging materials to improve barrier properties and enhance recyclability.
PEF can be blended with other polymers like PLA (polylactic acid) to create composite materials with enhanced properties, such as improved barrier properties or mechanical strength.
Our PEF Products
Our PEF products are 100% recyclable bio-based polymers made through the polymerization of furan dicarboxylic acid and ethylene glycol.
| Product Name | Polyethylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate, PEF |
| Catalog | BIOS28728190 |
| CAS No. | 28728-19-0 |
| Molecular Formula | (C8H6O5)n |
| Molecular Weight | Variable |
| Melting Point | 195-265 °C |
| Relative Density | 1.43 g/cm3 |
Alfa Chemistry is a reliable supplier of biosynthetic polyethylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate. We offer high-quality products, professional technical services, usage recommendations, and the latest industry news. Please don't hesitate to contact us for more information.
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