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Bio-based PEF fiber enters mass production for the first time, Lifu Biology signs with Defulong

Institute of Bioplastics 2025-03-23 11:00:00

On March 11, 2025, Life Biotech and Defuron officially reached a strategic cooperation, focusing on the application of bio-based PEF in the fiber field, to carry out in-depth R&D cooperation and promote industrialization.

At the signing ceremony, Hu Shufeng, R&D Director of Defulun, and Luo Zhao, Chief Marketing Officer of Life Biotech, jointly signed the agreement to establish the "Joint Innovation Center for Biomass-based New Materials" and unveiled the plaque for the center. The establishment of this center aims to integrate the advantageous resources of both parties to promote the development of biomass-based PEF fibers.

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Shanghai Defulun New Material Technology Co., Ltd. is one of the leading enterprises in domestic differentiated polyester staple fiber, equipped with four advanced flexible production lines for polyester staple fiber. The products cover six categories of differentiated polyester fibers: fine denier, irregular, modified, functional, colored, and bio-based. Currently, Defulun has successfully achieved mass production of BioFleax™ PEF fiber.

Hefei Lifu Biotechnology Co., Ltd. is currently the only company in the world capable of mass-producing thousand-ton polymer-grade FDCA (launched in 2022). It is currently building the world's first flagship plant for ten-thousand-ton bio-based aromatic materials, with plans to launch by the end of 2025. Based on FDCA, Lifu Bio has developed a fully bio-based aromatic polyester PEF. PEF, with its excellent performance, is hailed as the "next generation polyester," outperforming traditional petroleum-based PET in mechanical properties, heat resistance, and gas barrier properties, showing great potential in fiber applications.

DeFuren BioFleax™ PEF fiber

DeFuren BioFleax™ PEF yarn

This collaboration will leverage Deflon's experience in fiber production and market channels, while Life Biotech will utilize its leading position in the research and development of bio-based materials and FDCA mass production technology, to jointly tackle the technical challenges in the application of bio-based PEF fibers and promote the green development of the chemical fiber industry.

BioFleax™ PEF fiber molecular structure is similar to PET, but it also has high thermal stability, high toughness, low processing energy consumption, and natural antibacterial, UV resistance, moisture absorption, and breathability characteristics, supporting recycling compatible with PET. In addition, BioFleax™ PEF fiber is made from renewable resources, which can reduce carbon emissions by about 50% compared to traditional materials, providing a green and sustainable material choice for the textile, home textile, and other industries.

At present, there is a growing global emphasis on environmental protection and sustainable development, leading to an increasing demand for bio-based materials. The collaboration between Leaf Biotech and Defuron is expected to lead the way in the widespread application of bio-based PEF fibers across various fields in the future.

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On June 25, 2023, Life Biotech completed a B round of financing of nearly 200 million yuan, led by GuanZi Ventures, with Blue Ventures, Huagai Capital, and Zehui Capital among others following the investment. In March 2024, it received a B+ round of financing, with investors including Guoyuan Equity, Hongpu Fund, and Zhongke Hehai, among others.

Lifu Biology successfully launched the world's first thousand-ton level FDCA production line in 2022, and completed the verification of a 500-ton level continuous method pilot plant at the beginning of 2024. On September 10, 2024, the groundbreaking ceremony for the world's first ten-thousand-ton level FDCA production line was held in the eastern park of Tongling Economic Development Zone, Anhui Province, with plans to officially start production by the end of 2025. The project is planned to have a total investment of about 1 billion yuan, covering an area of 85 mu. After completion and reaching full production, it will produce 15,000 tons of FDCA annually, with an output value exceeding 1 billion yuan.

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Bio-based PEF fiber enters mass production for the first time, Lifu Biology signs with Defulong

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