NatureWorks
(Source: NatureWorks)
Key milestones have been reached in the global manufacturing expansion plan of NatureWorks LLC, Minnetonka, MN/USA, the manufacturer of low-carbon PLA biopolymers made from renewable resources. A new fully integrated Ingeo PLA production facility is anticipated to open in Thailand by 2024. When fully operational the new plant will have an annual capacity of 75,000 tons of Ingeo biopolymer and will produce the full portfolio of Ingeo grades.
The project will be located at the Nakhon Sawan Biocomplex (NBC) in Nakhon Sawan province. The NBC is the first biocomplex project in Thailand established in accordance with the government's bioeconomy policy.
The new manufacturing complex will include production for lactic acid, lactide, and polymer making it the world’s first polylactide facility designed to be fully integrated. NatureWorks will build and operate 3 facilities, having both process and energy integration to increase efficiency of the manufacturing operation dedicated to Ingeo biopolymer production.