October 14, 2008 - NatureWorks Expands Ingeo™ Resin Distribution

NatureWorks LLC goes for global expansion with new integrated
logistics and resin supply with Protea Polymers in South Africa

Minnetonka, MN, October 14, 2008 - Following from the successful launch of the new resin supply base in Europe through Resinex, NatureWorks LLC is pleased to announce new strategic partnership in distribution for South Africa with Protea Polymers. This agreement signals NatureWorks long term commitment to broadening its unique and highly efficient level of service in the practical supply of Ingeo™ biopolymer resin for the packaging and foodservice industries. It is another sign that the market for Ingeo™ biopolymers is growing fast and that NatureWorks is in readiness to supply it.

Protea Polymers is a division of the Omnia Group (Pty) Ltd in South-Africa, and is one of the largest and most reputable importers of commodity plastics, engineering polymers and additives serving the local South African polymer industry today. Operating from its headquarters in Gauteng and its regional branch offices with local warehousing in Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, East London and Durban, Protea Polymers adds value and efficiencies in all aspects of logistics, sales, technical support and new business development, thanks to its highly motivated team of experienced and technically competent personnel. Protea Polymers is a true, value-added supplier operating downstream through customer focussed sales teams and upstream through product focussed business units, to maximise opportunities and synergies for the benefit of all its stakeholders.

“We see NatureWorks LLC as a strategic partner for us and Ingeo ™ as a key innovation raw material product for growth. We know NatureWorks leads the field in the biopolymer industry and this is exactly what we need to maintain our own levels of innovation, service and quality. Ingeo™ brings the extra dimension we need to develop our business for our partners, suppliers and customers”. – said Rudi Verwey of Protea Polymers

Ingeo™ represents an ingenious new material that’s made from plants not oil. The many environmental benefits that come with this new natural plastic material include that it’s derived entirely from annually renewable plant resources. Ingeo™ innovations also use 65% percent less fossil fuel resources than the traditional polymers such as PET, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80-90%

Building on the last 5 years of market development, NatureWorks and Protea Polymers with Ingeo™ can match the growing global demand for more environmentally friendly bioplastics and secure better and faster distribution of resins throughout the supply chain in South Africa so that everyone, everywhere can make better choices.

“I know that Protea Polymers understand the dynamic and complexity of the plastics industry and the new value of more sustainable raw materials in their market. I am confident they will leverage their full resources to guarantee the secure supply of Ingeo™ resin, making them the natural choice for us as we extend our logistics reach into South Africa. We look forward to a strong partnership with them”” comments Mark Vergauwen, European Commercial Manager of NatureWorks LLC.

NatureWorks LLC, Protea Polymers, and Ingeo™: making businesses work better for everyone to make better choices. Better for the planet, so better for consumers and ultimately better for business too.

About NatureWorks LLC:

NatureWorks LLC is a company 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 low carbon footprint biopolymers derived from 100 percent annually renewable resources with performance and economics that compete with oil-based plastics and fibers. The production of these biopolymers uses less fossil fuel and emits fewer green-house gases than conventional polymers. The company applies its proprietary technology to process natural plant sugars to make Ingeo™ biopolymer, which is used uniquely to make and market finished products under the Ingeo™ brand name. NatureWorks LLC is a joint venture between Cargill and Teijin Limited of Japan.

Ingeo™, ingenious materials made from plants not oil.

The new business reality that comes from this invention brings a new meaning of how to do business differently today: to make contemporary goods with a natural origin, to bring performance without compromise and to make products that have a powerful environmental message to the consumer who is looking for better choices.

Ingeo and the Ingeo logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of NatureWorks LLC in the USA and other countries