Avantium N.V., a leader in renewable and circular polymer materials, announced a collaboration with Portuguese textile manufacturer Casa da Malha and sportswear brand Lacatoni to develop and showcase textile prototypes made with PEF (polyethylene furanoate), Avantium’s plant-based, high-performance polymer branded as releaf®. The collaboration explores the potential of PEF in textile applications, combining Avantium’s renewable polymer technology with Casa da Malha’s expertise in advanced knitted fabrics and Lacatoni’s experience in sportswear design and performance apparel. The project has resulted in a range of prototype textile products that will be presented to industry stakeholders and consumers to demonstrate the material’s potential in the textile sector.

PEF is a plant-based, recyclable polyester alternative made from renewable feedstocks. The material offers an attractive combination of sustainability and performance characteristics, including excellent mechanical properties, making it a promising candidate for a variety of textile applications.

Casa da Malha is a Portuguese fabric knitting company specializing in premium circular knitted fabrics and innovative textile solutions. Driven by a commitment to sustainability and material innovation, the company continuously explores next-generation fibers and materials that can help reduce the environmental footprint of textile products. Lacatoni is a Portuguese sportswear brand and manufacturer that designs and supplies technical apparel, teamwear, and performance clothing for a wide range of sports. With a strong focus on innovation, functionality, and athlete comfort, Lacatoni works with sports clubs, federations, and teams in Portugal and internationally.

The partners developed a series of sportswear and textile prototypes incorporating PEF-based yarns and fabrics. Among the first tangible results of the collaboration is a prototype sports shirt developed by Casa da Malha for Lacatoni, demonstrating the potential of plant-based, recyclable PEF in performance apparel applications. The sports shirt prototype is being showcased at Milano Unica in Milan from 7–9 July 2026, one of Europe’s leading textile trade fairs, and forms part of a broader range of textile prototypes that will be presented to brands, manufacturers, industry stakeholders, and consumers.

Filipa Costa, Innovation & Sustainability Director of Casa da Malha, said: “This project allows us to work with a novel polymer and to translate its properties into knitted fabric constructions that meet the quality and performance standards expected by apparel brands. We are proud to contribute our textile expertise to this important step in material development."

Belisa Rodrigues, CEO of Lacatoni, added: "Our customers increasingly expect sportswear to combine performance with responsible material choices. Through these prototypes, we can evaluate how next-generation materials such as PEF perform in real apparel applications and help inspire the market with new possibilities for sustainable sportswear."

Laleh Maleki, Business Development Manager at Avantium, said: “We are excited to explore the potential of PEF in textiles together with leading partners across the value chain. Collaborations like this help accelerate the development of new, high-performance applications for renewable materials and bring them closer to commercial adoption."

About Avantium

Avantium is a pioneering commercial-stage company focused on renewable & circular polymer materials. Avantium develops and commercializes innovative technologies for the production of materials based on sustainable carbon feedstocks, i.e. carbon from biomass or carbon from the air (CO2). The most advanced technology is the YXY® Technology that catalytically converts plant-based sugars into FDCA (furandicarboxylic acid), the key building block for the sustainable plastic PEF (polyethylene furanoate). PEF is known under the brand name releaf®, an EU registered trademark of Avantium. Avantium has successfully demonstrated the YXY® Technology at its pilot plant in Geleen, the Netherlands, and is in the process of starting the world's first commercial plant for FDCA in Delfzijl, the Netherlands.  Avantium works in partnership with like-minded companies around the globe to develop revolutionary renewable chemistry solutions from invention to commercial scale.

Avantium’s shares are listed on Euronext Amsterdam and Euronext Brussels (symbol: AVTX). Avantium is incorporated in the Euronext Amsterdam SmallCap Index (AScX). Its offices and headquarters are in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

For more information:

Caroline van Reedt Dortland, Director Communications
+31-20-5860110 / +31-613400179 
mediarelations@avantium.com

Aarne Luten, Director Investor Relations
+31-625687714
ir@avantium.com  

 

Source: avantium.com

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