NatureWorks Thailand PLA project is about to start
MINNEAPOLIS, MN, USA (November 9, 2022) - NatureWorks, the world leader in the manufacture of low-carbon polylactic acid (PLA) biopolymers from renewable resources, has signed a contract with TTCL Public Company Limited (TTCL) Main contractor for its new Ingeo™ PLA integrated manufacturing plant in Thailand, responsible for procurement, construction, and start-up commissioning support services. The new line uses integrated design technology to produce lactic acid, lactide and polymers in an integrated manner. The new production site, located at the Nakhon Sawan Biotechnology Complex (NBC), will have an annual capacity of 75,000 tonnes and will produce the full range of Ingeo's biopolymer portfolio.
"We are delighted to see continued progress in the construction of our second Ingeo site, which will help us address the growing global market demand for sustainable materials," said Steve Bray, vice president of production operations at NatureWorks. Having chosen TTCL as our main contractor, we look forward to leveraging their professional knowledge and skills to execute this large-scale high-end technology major capital engineering project in Thailand."
NatureWorks plans to celebrate the start of construction with a groundbreaking ceremony for its new production site in February 2023.
In 2021, NatureWorks first announced the authorization to launch its global capacity expansion plan, starting with its second Ingeo biopolymer production facility in Thailand. In 2002, NatureWorks became the first company to produce PLA polylactic acid biopolymer on a commercial scale. In 2013, NatureWorks expanded its flagship production site in Blair, Nebraska, USA to 150,000 tons per year, and in 2020 announced additional capacity expansions to further increase the capacity of Ingeo biopolymers. (The new lactide purification technology can increase the output by 10%, with an annual production capacity of 165,000 tons)
Expansion of global production capacity for Ingeo biopolymers will support growth in diverse markets, including 3D printing and hygiene materials, as well as compostable coffee capsules, tea bags, flexible packaging, and food cutlery, applications that not only require sustainable low-carbon materials, but also Requires the unique high-functionality properties that Ingeo provides.
