NatureWorks intends to build a PLA plant in Thailand

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Type of post: NEWS.

NatureWorks has announced the completion of key milestones in their global manufacturing expansion plan for a new fully integrated Ingeo PLA production facility that is anticipated to open in Thailand by 2024, subject to shareholder approval.

Figure 1. NatureWorks PLA plant in Blair. In 2002, NatureWorks became the first company to produce PLA biopolymers at commercial scale. In 2013, expanded its facility to an annual total capacity of 150 ktons. NatureWorks also completed a portfolio of enhancements to the Blair site enabling the plant to establish a new record production level in 2019.

When fully operational the new plant will have an annual capacity of 75 ktons of Ingeo biopolymer and will produce the full portfolio of Ingeo grades. 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 all three facilities, having both process and energy integration to increase efficiency of the manufacturing operation dedicated to Ingeo biopolymer production.

NatureWorks recently completed the front-end engineering design work with Jacobs. This company was selected in partnership with IAG, who provided front-end project management and project controls. Final detailed engineering is currently underway, and NatureWorks expects to announce further details on the new facility later this year.

Last week the Thailand Board of Investment announced its approval of the NatureWorks manufacturing project that 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.

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