In a monumental stride towards eco-conscious manufacturing, NatureWorks reports remarkable progress on the construction of its cutting-edge integrated Ingeo PLA biopolymer facility, nestled in the heart of Nakhon Sawan Province, Thailand. The facility, poised to revolutionize the biobased materials market, is set to include a series of crucial components, from lactic acid fermentation to polymerization, with a staggering annual capacity of 75,000 tons across the entire spectrum of Ingeo grades.
Steve Bray, the Vice President of Operations at NatureWorks, hailed this colossal project as a testament to the company’s unwavering commitment to both the Asia Pacific region and the burgeoning biobased materials industry. He stated, “We have witnessed a surge in demand for Ingeo biopolymers across the Asia Pacific region, and this state-of-the-art complex will empower us to continually provide sustainable, top-tier biopolymers to our markets.”
Notably, the facility has seen the arrival of critical equipment, including the melt crystallizer, which will enable the production of the full range of high-performance Ingeo grades, specifically designed for high-temperature applications.
The timing of this construction couldn’t be more ideal, as it aligns perfectly with the burgeoning growth in various sectors, such as 3D printing, nonwovens for hygiene products, compostable coffee capsules, tea bags, flexible packaging, and sustainable food serviceware. The construction project is on track, poised to support projected start-up activities and full-scale production by the year 2025.
A significant highlight of this endeavor is the commitment to using sugarcane as a feedstock, an annually renewable resource that’s readily available locally, sourced from farms within a 50-kilometer radius of the Nakhon Sawan site.
Jill Zullo, the CEO of NatureWorks, underscored the growing importance of biobased and sustainable materials in the global materials market, highlighting their role in reducing environmental impact and fostering eco-friendly processes like diverting food scraps from landfills to compost through the use of compostable materials. She stated, “This new facility will empower us to meet the escalating demands of consumers while delivering unparalleled service to our international customer base.”
NatureWorks’ visionary endeavor in Thailand serves as a beacon of hope for a future where sustainability and biobased materials lead the way in reducing the environmental footprint of the materials industry. With their state-of-the-art facility, they are primed to make an indelible mark on the ever-evolving landscape of biopolymer production.