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Terphane, part of Tredegar Corporation, a producer of BOPET films (polyester) in Latin America, has announced a strategic partnership with Origin Materials to produce sustainable, high-performance bio-polymer films. As part of the partnership, Terphane has signed a multi-year capacity reservation agreement to purchase an advanced bio-polymer, Polyethylene Furanoate (PEF), for use in film applications, including food and beverage packaging and high-value industrial applications. The stretched polymer films are said to be valued for their strength, transparency, barrier properties and electrical insulation. “We are pleased to partner with Terphane, a trusted global leader in films with expansive customer and partner relationships,” said Rich Riley, co-CEO of Origin Materials. “We are thrilled to work together to develop advanced, performance-enhanced products that help to enable a net zero material economy. This partnership represents further progress in Origin’s mission to enable the world’s transition to sustainable materials.” Marcos Vieira, global director of R&D for Terphane, said the development of the film will be significant for its efforts to “meet global demand for sustainable flexible packaging solutions”. The film is partially made from PEF and features all the traditional properties of a regular PET film, including post-consumption recycling. Vieira commented: “PEF provides an excellent thermal resistance and superior barrier performance, extending the shelf life of the packaged products”. Made from furandicarboxylic acid, Origin's PEF is a polymer with a combination of sustainability and performance characteristics for packaging, including enhanced barrier properties. According to Terphane, Origin’s PEF is expected to be 100% plant-based, fully recyclable and offer a significantly reduced carbon footprint.