• Origin Materials, a carbon-negative materials manufacturer, has announced partnering with Kolon Industries, a South Korean chemical and material company, to co-develop and commercialize polyethylene furanoate (PEF), an advanced polymer solution for packaging and other applications. Initially, the two companies’ focus will be on deploying the solution for automotive applications.

• The carbon-negative products will be produced based on Origin Materials’ patented technology platform, combining Kolon’s expertise in novel furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA)-based polymer production. As part of the deal, Kolon has further entered into a multi-year capacity reservation agreement to purchase the carbon-negative material from Origin Materials.

• The partnership aligns with their shared commitment to sustainable innovation and is expected to commercialize such sustainable materials faster.

<ul><li> Analyst QuickTake : Origin Materials has been expanding its technological focus to include automotive applications. Last month, the company partnered with Drive Sustainability to join the latter’s “Drive+” sustainability platform to gain access to a network of automotive manufacturers and enhance its engagement with automotive suppliers. The company reported that it expects to deploy its carbon-negative chemicals and materials across a range of mobility applications such as fabrics, plasticizers, seat foams, and tires and potentially develop new materials to drive decarbonization in the automotive industry.</ul>