Futerro is an engineering company developing state-of-the-art technologies in the field of green chemistry. Futerro is a subsidiary of Galactic, a leading Belgian biotechnology group, worldwide oriented in the sale of licenses of its new sustainable and innovative technologies.
FUTERRO S.A., is a well-established Belgian Company and was the first to work on the development of lactic acid and Poly-Lactic Acid (PLA) as early as 1992. Futerro has extensive industrial experience in lactic acid and PLA production on different substrates and is continuously upgrading its processes to produce high quality PLA with improved properties: RENEW™.
Futerro’s first industrial plant produces a wide range of RENEW™ for all existing applications with an annual capacity of 100 000 tons making Futerro the second largest PLA producer in the world. In addition to this core business, Futerro also supports its customers in the development of new RENEW™ grades for specific applications to help them in their industrial, ecological and sustainable transition and offers a unique recycling process : LOOPLA®
The PLA (Poly Lactic Acid) – one of its flagship products, is a biopolymer that is a better alternative for conventional plastics. Being currently in growing demand, the PLA effectively reduces the carbon footprint thus minimizing the impact on the global warming.
Futerro was established in September 2007 to bring to fruition the project to develop technology for Poly Lactic Acid (PLA) production from renewable vegetable resources.
Galactic
One of the main goals of the project is construction of a demonstration unit to produce annually 1,500 tonnes of PLA (polylactic acid), using clean, innovative and competitive technology, developed and perfected by the Futerro partners. The process is split into two main steps:
- Preparation from lactic acid of the monomer – lactide – and its purification. During the research and development phase, lactic acid will be sourced from Galactic, a world leader in lactic acid and lactates.
- Polymerisation of lactide to produce a range of PLAs, initially for the packaging industry, especially food packaging but also for more technical applications.
The monomer part of the demonstration unit is expected to come on stream late 2009, while polymerisation will start early 2010. Futerro lactide and PLA should be available for internal evaluation by early 2010.
The construction of the demonstration unit runs parallel with the start of a 4-5-year R&D phase. This ambitious project is made possible by the financial support of the Wallonia Region as part of the Wallonia “Marshall” Plan competitive Hubs.
To bring the project to fruition Futerro is drawing on the expertise of Galactic. Futerro is also leveraging the scientific and technical expertise concentrated in the Walloon region, by conducting some of its research in the public research centres Materia Nova Natiss and Université de Mons-Hainault.
The project goals are as follows:
• Galactic: developing new openings for lactic acid by making it the base raw material in the new green chemistry.
Futerro’s mission is as follows:
• Developing clean, innovative and competitive technology for PLA production.
• Marketing lactic acid-based products (oligomers, lactide and PLA) for the commodity market and subsequently products with improved properties for more technical applications.
• Developing partnerships to promote the use of lactic acid-based products (oligomers, lactide and PLA) in new applications.
• Licensing its PLA technology.
What is RENEW™?
it is a biopolymer made from a mix of…
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What is RENEW™
From CO2 to Sugar
Photosynthesis is a process by which green plants can transform greenhouse gases into valuable biological products. During photosynthesis, light energy is captured and used to convert carbon dioxide into organic compounds such as sugars.
From sugar to lactic acid
Fermentation is a biological process in which specific compounds are transformed into other compounds without oxygen presence. In lactic acid fermentation, sugar can be transformed into lactic acid by microorganisms. In our process, we use only natural and non-modified bacteria to ensure high levels of safety and to stay aligned with our values.
From Lactic acid to RENEW™
Thanks to our patented technology, the lactic acid produced from sugar will be transformed into a long chain (also called polymer) of lactic acid which finally becomes RENEW™, the first bio-RENEW-able polymer.
Bioplastic Applications
Thermoforming
Fibers & non-woven
Film & coating
Injection moulding
Rotomoulding
Blow moulding
3D-printing
HQ : Belgium
