Ingeo News: April 2023

NatureWorks Cornerstone Ceremony for New Ingeo™️ PLA Biopolymer Manufacturing Facility in Thailand


NatureWorks hosted a cornerstone laying ceremony to celebrate construction of their new Ingeo PLA manufacturing complex in Thailand. The ceremony, which took place on February 1st, 2023, 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 NatureWorks 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. 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.

New NatureWorks Ingeo PLA Manufacturing Site, Thailand

The expanded global production of Ingeo biopolymer will support growth in markets including 3D printing and hygiene as well as compostable coffee capsules, tea bags, flexible packaging, and food serviceware that demand sustainable, low-carbon biomaterials and require the high-performance attributes that Ingeo is uniquely suited to deliver.

For more information about NatureWorks and Ingeo, or to purchase Ingeo biopolymer resin visit natureworksllc.com. Follow NatureWorks on Twitter (@natureworks) or LinkedIn for the latest updates. Contact NatureWorks.

Sustainable Plastics: Biden Sets US Goal to Replace 90% of Plastics with Biomaterials

President Joe Biden's administration is setting a goal of replacing 90 percent of fossil-fuel based plastics with bio-based alternatives over the next two decades.

In a report released March 22, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) outlined what it called bold goals for helping the U.S. to be a leader in bioeconomy technology, produce low carbon-intensity chemicals to fight climate change and shore up domestic supply chains. Read the article. 

European Bioplastics on PPWR: The European Commission Got it Right

In a recently released position paper, European Bioplastics sates that, as a country with the world’s largest coffee market, single-serve coffee capsules have become increasingly popular and organic recycling is the most environmentally sound end-of-life option for these single coffee units. The paper ends with a call on the European Parliament and Council to keep coffee capsules on the positive list for mandatorily compostable packaging applications as set out in Art. 8 of the Commission’s proposal for a revised PPWR.

Careers at NatureWorks

Meet Sam Thompson and Colby Olson - two NatureWorks employees who wanted to share their experiences finding the right career for themselves within NatureWorks. Sam is a Senior Scientist at the Plymouth, MN headquarters and she likes the intersection of science, environment, and creating real-world solutions in her job. Colby is a Senior Technician at the Blair, NE facility who appreciates the focus on safety at the plant, learning new things, and promotional opportunities. Listen to their stories in the videos below.

NatureWorks & Global Industry News

Recent Events

PBPC Annual Conference

March 27 - 29, 2023 | Washington D.C.

Senior Circular Economy Manager, Shannon Pinc, joined this first ever Plant Based Products Council Conference to present, “Chemicals of Concern and Transparency in Materials and Products”.

AMI Single-Serve Capsules

March 7 - 8, 2023 | Tampa, FL

Flavio Di Marcotullio joined the AMI Single-Serve Capsules show to discuss compostable coffee capsules made with Ingeo, our partnership with IMA, and market trends as global brands accelerate the use of compostable pods.



Upcoming Events

Chinaplas | April 17 - 20, 2023 | Shenzhen, China
Stop by the NatureWorks booth #20A01 where we will feature the latest in applications made with Ingeo including materials for large format 3D printing as well as rigid and flexible food packaging made with Ingeo™ PLA and PHACT™ PHA jointly developed with CJ Biomaterials.

INDEX | April 18 - 21, 2023 | Geneva
Join us at NatureWorks booth #1510 to see new Ingeo nonwoven solutions for hygiene applications and see Salvador Ortega present, “Ingeo PLA Advances and Breakthroughs in Hygiene Applications.”

Interpack | May 4 - 10, 2023 | Düsseldorf
Visit the NatureWorks booth (Hall 9, G03) to see new solutions for rigid and flexible food packaging made with Ingeo™ PLA and PHACT™ PHA jointly developed with CJ Biomaterials.



Stay up-to-date with where NatureWorks will be on our News & Events page.