NatureWorks, a world’s leading manufacturer of low-carbon PLA biopolymers made from renewable resources, hosted a cornerstone laying ceremony to celebrate construction of their new Ingeo PLA manufacturing complex in Thailand.

The ceremony which took place on February 1 commemorated the progress made to date on the new fully integrated biopolymer facility. The day also featured a ceremonial groundbreaking that mirrored the ceremony held in Blair, Nebraska, USA in 2000 when the company began construction on the world’s first commercial scale PLA manufacturing facility.

The new manufacturing facility located on the Nakhon Sawan Biocomplex (NBC) in Nakhon Sawan Province, Thailand is designed to be fully integrated including production sites for lactic acid, lactide, and polymer.

NatureWorks celebrates construction milestone for its new fully integrated Ingeo PLA biopolymer manufacturing facility in Thailand.

With completion expected in the second half of 2024, the manufacturing site will have an annual capacity of 75,000 tons and will produce the full portfolio of Ingeo biopolymer grades.

“This ceremony is a meaningful milestone for the entire NatureWorks team,” commented Rich Altice, president and CEO of NatureWorks. “For the last three decades, we have not only been building a company and manufacturing facilities, but also a whole new industry and market for low-carbon, renewable biomaterials that are revolutionizing the sustainability and safety of packaging and product materials used in our everyday lives.”

Site preparation for the new biopolymer complex was completed in June 2022, and early-works construction for piling, underground piping, storm water management, and tank foundations began.

The expanded global production of Ingeo biopolymer is expected to support growth in markets including 3D printing and hygiene as well as compostable coffee capsules, tea bags, flexible packaging, and food serviceware.