The Netherlands-based Avantium, a technology company specializing in advanced high-throughput
R&D, has announced it has secured 30 million euros — 25 million euros from a financing round
with Sofinnova Partners, Aster Capital, De Hoge Dennen, Aescap Venture, Capricorn Cleantech Fund,
ING Corporate Investments and Navitas Capital; and 5 million euros through a subsidy and innovation
credit from the Dutch Ministry of Economy, Agriculture and Innovation. The company will use the
cash to advance its YXY technology through the development of green materials such as biobased,
recyclable PEF polyester, and the construction and operation of its new pilot plant
(See ”
Avantium
Announces Start-up Of YXY Polyester Pilot Plant,” www.
TextileWorld.com, May 3, 2011).
“This financing round represents a major strengthening of our investor base,” said Michiel
de Haan, chairman of the Supervisory Board, Avantium; and general partner of Aescap Venture. “We
are extremely happy that new, high-quality investors are joining us to build Avantium into a global
technology leader in green building blocks, and would like to thank the departing investors for
their historical role in the company.”
“We are privileged to welcome Sofinnova, Aster and De Hoge Dennen as new investors as we
look to scale and commercialize our YXY technology,” said Tom van Aken, CEO, Avantium. “The strong
support of our current shareholders and our ability to attract such reputable investors validate
the potential of our technology and products. We are experiencing overwhelming interest from
consumer goods and industrial companies who wish to use our YXY building blocks for a broad range
of applications including PEF bottles for water, soft drinks and beer; PEF fibers for apparel and
carpets; and engineering plastics for automotive and electronic materials. This funding will allow
us to prove our process on a larger scale and to do application testing in collaboration with brand
owners and industrial partners.”
June 14, 2011