Avantium has opened a demonstration factory in the Netherlands for its new plant - based mono - ethylene glycol ( MEG ) production process , which converts industrial sugars to rubber . This market is expected to rapidly grow in the coming decades, providing a great opportunity for the introduction of plant-based MEG as part of the transition to a more renewable world. The company 's Ray plant offers a sustainable alternative to the use of the ingredient , which is vital for creating polyester . While 99 % of current MEG is generated from fossil fuels , Ray 's facility in Chemie Park Delfzijl has an annual capacity of 10 mt and will be cost competitive compared with fossil fuel - based MEG plants . If the newly opened facility is successful , the company plans to build a commercial plant for 2024 .
Avantium has opened a demonstration factory in the Netherlands for its new plant - based mono - ethylene glycol ( MEG ) production process , which converts industrial sugars to rubber . The company 's Ray plant offers a sustainable alternative to the use of the ingredient , which is vital for creating polyester . While 99 % of current MEG is generated from fossil fuels , Ray 's facility in Chemie Park Delfzijl has an annual capacity of 10 mt and will be cost competitive compared with fossil fuel - based MEG plants . If the newly opened facility is successful , the company plans to build a commercial plant for 2024 .