Origin to build plant-based PET facility in Louisiana: company

Leading carbon-negative materials company Origin intends to build its first plant-based PET resin facility in Geismar, Louisiana, company spokesperson Zach Gorin told S&P Global Platts Feb. 17.

The manufacturing facility, named Origin 2, will process renewable wood fibers to produce carbon-negative feedstock for polyethylene terephthalate used in plastic packaging, textiles, and apparel. The site will also produce hydrothermal carbon, which can be used in fuel pellets, as well as activated carbon -- a replacement for carbon black.

The West-Sacramento, California-based company uses patented technology that turns carbon found in wood residues into useful materials while capturing carbon in the process.

The 150-acre facility will cost $750 million to construct and will have the capacity to convert nearly 1 million dry mt of wood residues each year. The company declined to disclose annual production output.

"One of the strengths of the site is access to [a] plentiful, stable supply of sustainable wood residue feedstock," said Gorin. "[Origin] will have convenient access to barge and rail lines, making it straightforward to source biomass."

The plant is expected to be operational by mid-2025, with construction scheduled to begin in mid-2023, pending the finalization of economic incentives.