November 21, 2006 - A New Reality for Bioplastics

A New Reality for Bioplastics - NatureWorks LLC opens a new world of possibilities of innovation for the 21st century family

BRUSSELS – November 21, 2006 - A wedding dress made from a tissue of delicate fabric created with Ingeo ™ fibre made from the revolutionary NatureWorks ® biopolymer, takes centre stage at the start of the first European Bioplastics conference in Brussels on 21st and 22nd November, 2006. This apparel creation symbolizes the creative potential and drive behind NatureWorks LLC, the global leader in bio based materials. The dress was designed by Franco Francesca and sponsored by Coldiretti, one of the main agricultural associations in Europe.

NatureWorks ® polymer is the first man-made polymer to come from 100% annually renewable resources. Sugar is extracted from corn and is then fermented to create lactic acid which is then transformed into the new biopolymer – polylactide. This polylactide is branded as NatureWorks ® polymer and designed for use in packaging, consumer packaged goods, and a broad range durable applications where traditional petro-based plastics find use.

The same polymer is used to create a new generation of textile fibres, identified under the Ingeo™ brand.  This fibre is a real and sustainable alternative for fashion, home and personal care items – many products that consumers experience next to their skin in their every day lives.

Being derived from plants, not oil, requires less fossil fuel usage for production and helps make NatureWorks®  polymer the first greenhouse-gas-neutral polymer available in the world today.   

The company will present its concept, commerce and success at this European Bioplastics conference with a presentation entitled “ Ingeo Fibers and NatureWorks Polymer offers a more sustainable raw material option” by Eamonn Tighe, European Business Development Manager – NatureWorks® , as well as through a comprehensive display of its European partner’s products at its booth over the two day conference period. This display will showcase the growing range of applications for consumers to enjoy and choose.

Among the key brandowner and retailer partners using and branding NatureWorks® polymer that will be highlighted by NatureWorks LLC at the conference include:

• Delhaize (B) and Finiper (I) are packing a range of fresh food in hinged lid containers made from NatureWorks® polymer. Delhaize uses the biodegradable trays in the deli-department of 151 integrated supermarkets.
• Auchan, with more than 400 stores across France, is offering it’s deli range in NatureWorks®  polymer based packaging.
• Priméale has a range of food trays with a film lid sealed on top for total produce freshness made from NatureWorks® polymer. You may find Priméale in each chain of the french retail market.
• Monoprix is using NatureWorks® polymer for all of its salad bags, for a total of 8.000.000 bags for year.
• Coop in Italy is using NatureWorks® polymer for a range of their speciality organic salad lines as well as range of service ware to include disposable cups and plates.
• Marks & Spencer: Soft fruit punnets and dessert cups are offered throughout its 460 stores in the UK.
• Ovopel have introduced egg box packaging made from NatureWorks® polymer. You can find Ovopel brand in Il Gigante and Carrefour stores in Italy.
• Belu launched the first NatureWorks polymer-based bottle in the UK 
• Ihr Platz in Germany also offers a new infused water in a fully biodegradable bottle made from NatureWorks ® polymer.
• Alcas in Italy reported a 43% increase in sales of their ice cream cup and scoop made from NatureWorks® polymer. Their sales topped 6 million units - exporting throughout Europe and the U.S. - proving that there is a real and measurable economic value and potential in this new bio economy are selling in more than 2,500 stores across Europe - a powerful testimonial.

These twelve key retail and brandowner partners have contributed to the commercial success of NatureWorks ® polymer.  The range of these applications together total estimated current sales in excess of 100 million units in 2006.  The total stores selling NatureWorks ® polymer commercial products in the world are more than 18,000.

Each partner has recognised the unique value and need to promote their own more sustainable strategy for packaging. To date, our partners have the choice to sign a license agreement with NatureWorks LLC to underpin their conviction that the NatureWorks® polymer and Ingeo™ brands offer a dedicated level of innovation and service, as well as being identified and recognisable icons for their consumer to understand. In addition, each European partner recognises the importance of providing packaging and products promoting GMO free material sourcing, and participates in NatureWorks LLC’s Source Options program. To learn more about this Source Options program, visit the Web site at www.natureworksllc.com.

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^®  polymer and Ingeo^® fibers brand names.  For more information about NatureWorks LLC and its brands, please visit www.natureworksllc.com.

About NatureWorks® polymer

NatureWorks LLC’s proprietary process for manufacturing NatureWorks^® polymer centers on the fermentation, distillation and polymerization of dextrose, a simple plant sugar made from corn.  The company essentially harvests the carbon stored in the sugars to make polylactic acid (PLA), a polymer with similar characteristics to traditional thermoplastics.

In addition to the appeal of its annually renewable feedstock, NatureWorks® polymer offers many other environmentally preferred benefits. It is the world’s first greenhouse-gas-neutral polymer.* In addition, from cradle to resin, its production uses 68 percent less fossil fuel resources than traditional plastics. Products made from NatureWorks® polymer have the flexibility to be disposed of in several manners, including commercial composting.

About Ingeo ™ Fibre

Ingeo fiber is a new brand concept based on the principles of sustainability – economic viability, social responsibility and environmental soundness.  It represents the world’s first man-made fiber derived from 100 percent annually renewable resources.  The process to make Ingeo fiber is based on the fermentation of simple plant sugars to create a proprietary polymer that can then be spun into a fiber.  Ingeo fiber is ideally suited for a range of textile products and applications where it competes with traditional fibers on a price and performance basis.  For more information on Ingeo fiber, please visit our Web site at www.ingeofibers.com.

Ingeo is a trademark of NatureWorks LLC.