NatureWorks LLC and Risupack Corporation Partner to Grow Plant-based Plastics Market in Japan

TOKYO, May, 24, 2006  --  NatureWorks LLC (NatureWorks) and Risupack Corporation today announced the signing of sales and trademark licensing agreements, which will enable Risupack to purchase NatureWorks® PLA resin and use the NatureWorks trademark and logo on its plant-based plastics products. To commemorate the event, Risupack will launch a product showroom in Tokyo called Risu Design Forum to display the full range of NatureWorks PLA-based plastic food packaging Risupack produces for the Japanese market.

Environmentally-aware consumers in Japan now have an alternative to traditional petroleum-based plastics for a range of food containers, non-food packaging and fiber-based products. NatureWorks is the first company to offer a family of commercially available polymers derived from 100 percent annually renewable resources. The company uses a unique technology to make a proprietary polylactide polymer, which is marketed globally under both NatureWorks PLA and Ingeo™ fibers ingredient brand names.

The technology used to produce NatureWorks PLA (polylactide) converts natural plant sugars into lactic acid, which is then used to create a clear plastic resin known as polylactide. “Our world-scale production capability allows us to supply an innovative and environmentally friendly polymer on a commercial basis to Risupack. We very much look forward to working with Risupack as they expand the use of NatureWorks PLA across a wide range of packaging applications in Japan,” said Dennis McGrew, President and CEO of NatureWorks LLC.

Risupack’s entry into the environmentally-friendly plastics market began about 15 years ago. In February 2005, Risupack was the first company to register its PLA vacuum-formed food packaging products on the Japan Hygienic Olefin and Styrenic Plastics Association (JHOPSA) list. In March 2005, the company was recognized by the Bio-Industry Association of Japan for having its NatureWorks PLA-based packaging adopted at the 2005 Aichi Expo.

“This partnership demonstrates both NatureWorks and Risupack’s commitment to providing Japanese consumers with an environmentally sound alternative to traditional oil-based plastics,” said Toshiyuki Ohmatsu, President of Risupack Corporation. “We very much appreciate NatureWorks’ support over the years. They have been essential in helping us achieve the goal of growing our plant-based plastics business using the NEUTO brand,” added Ohmatsu.

There are two series of NEUTO branded packaging in the market today with plans to expand this offering further within the next year. To grow the plant-based plastics market, Risupack plans to install new PLA sheet making and thermoforming lines at its new plant in Gunma. Risupack’s target is to achieve PLA part sales of Yen 2 billion by 2009.

Risupack currently sells NatureWorks PLA products to convenience stores, food processing companies, as well as major Japanese brand owners such as Monteur Co., Ltd. “We have been aggressively working on our customers’ contributing to make Japanese society more sustainable environmentally, and will do this more extensively going forward. The NatureWorks-Risupack partnership will make a pivotal contribution in terms of supporting our objectives in this regard”, said Mr. Yoshihiko Suzuki, President of Monteur Co. Ltd.

About NatureWorks LLC
NatureWorks LLC is a stand-alone company wholly owned by Cargill. Dedicated to meeting the world’s needs today without compromising the earth’s ability to meet the needs of tomorrow, NatureWorks LLC is the first company to offer a family of commercially available greenhouse-gas-neutral polymers derived from 100 percent annually renewable resources with cost and performance that compete with petroleum-based packaging materials and fibers. The company applies its unique technology to the processing of natural plant sugars to create a proprietary polylactide polymer, which is marketed under the NatureWorks® PLA and Ingeo® fibers brand names. NatureWorks® PLA, the nature-based bio-polymer, is used for many disposable packaging applications including serviceware, plates and cutlery, film wrap for food and flowers, produce, gastronomy and bakery packaging and bottles for water, milk, juice and edible oils. For more information about NatureWorks and its brands, please visit www.natureworksllc.com.

About Risupack Corporation
Risupack Corporation is a member of the six-member Risu Plastic Group led by Gifu Plastic Industry, Co., Ltd. The group develops, produces and sells innovative food packaging all the way from food producers to individual consumers. In the development of its products, Risupack gives highest priority to such core values as food safety, sales promotion, environmental protection, and universal design. The company promotes an ever-expanding product range from food packaging to shipping materials, including various designs of plastic containers and pallets. To deliver these products, Risupack has established partnerships with packaging dealers nationwide, and is dedicated to improving customer satisfaction by working with supply chain partners on a cooperative basis. Risupack also works closely with industry professionals to establish eco-friendly and safe recycling systems. As a leader in the food packaging segment, Risupack will continue to develop products within their core competencies by understanding and anticipating market needs, and providing a vision for the future food market that is consistent with their core values. More details on Risupack can be found at www.risupack.co.jp.

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NatureWorks, Ingeo and the Ingeo logo are trademarks or registered trademarks in the USA and other countries.