Ingeo News: January 2021

Sustainable Plastics - PLA: Moving into the Mainstream

Significant long-term opportunity in the market for biomaterials like Ingeo, and how NatureWorks intends to remain at the forefront of that growth.

Significant long-term opportunity in the market for biomaterials like Ingeo, and how NatureWorks intends to remain at the forefront of that growth.

Sustainable Plastics recently sat down with NatureWorks’ Global Marketing and Communications Manager, Leah Ford, to discuss increased Ingeo demand, sustainable agriculture, and which new applications are taking off as we head into 2021 and beyond.

“New applications are just starting to really grow,” says Ford. She cites 3D printing filament, compostable coffee capsules, tea bags, paper coatings, and nonwovens among the markets in which Ingeo demand is thriving. Read the article.

Creating a More Breathable, Reusable N95 Mask

NatureWorks, Nonwovens Institute collaboration produces an innovative new filter media. As the world faces a critical shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) for medical workers confronting the COVID-19 pandemic, a long-standing partnership between NatureWorks and the Nonwovens Institute (NWI) at North Carolina State University (NC State) has resulted in a new spunbond nonwoven technology that will enable faster production of highly breathable, reusable surgical masks and respirators. Read the article.     
              

New Consumer Research from Plant Based Products Council

New research recently released from the Plant Based Products Council (PBPC) and Heart+Mind Strategies shows the majority of U.S. consumers are receptive to plant based products and packaging, with 54% viewing them favorably and 59% expressing interest. According to the report, the potential market size for plant-based products is estimated to be over 136 million U.S. consumers.

In addition to being receptive, more than half (54 percent) of U.S. consumers are likely to purchase plant-based products in the next three months, with just less than half (49 percent) also self-reporting as likely to recommend these products to others. Read more.

IC3D & Partners Produced More Than 17K 3D Printed Toys for Toys for Tots

In the weeks leading up to the winter holidays, IC3D Industries (IC3D), in partnership with the US Marine Corps Reserve, NatureWorks, Micro Center, and the Coca-Cola Company of Columbus distributed over 17,300 3D printed toys for Toys for Tots across the state of Ohio and three counties in Michigan. 

“We appreciate the opportunity to donate Ingeo biomaterials for the filament used for IC3D’s participation in the Toys for Tots program,” said Dan Sawyer, Business Development Leader, NatureWorks. “These toys will hopefully not only inspire play and creativity, but also demonstrate what’s possible when you combine innovative forms of manufacturing, like 3D printing, with cutting edge sustainable raw materials.” Read the article.

PARTNER UPDATES

Food Serviceware

Vegware
Edinburgh manufacturer, Vegware, has been ranked 75th in 2020’s Sunday Times Virgin Atlantic Fast Track 100 list of Britain’s private companies with the fastest-growing sales. With clients in over 70 countries, the manufacturer of compostable cups, tableware, and takeaway packaging was also ranked fourth among Scottish firms after reporting 43% growth from 2019 to 2020. Read more.


NATUREWORKS & INDUSTRY NEWS

UPCOMING EVENTS

Sustainable Packaging Innovations | January 25 | Webinar
NatureWorks' Ian Toh joins the panel Sustainable Packaging Innovations panel to discuss how brand owners are moving sustainable packaging forward within their companies and packaging material innovations that are environmentally friendly and reduce waste.                                      
                 

Compost 2021 | January 26 - 27 | Virtual
NatureWorks, Incredisoil Compost, and the Green Sports Alliance are participating in a virtual poster session.              


We're Growing!

Join a fast-growing, ever-evolving team of professionals. Join NatureWorks!

Available Job Opportunities:

Marketing Content Specialist | Minnetonka, MN
Responsibilities include bringing together words, images, and data into compelling stories that help us drive the adoption of the bio-materials we make from renewable resources. Candidate will own aspects the content process from writing high-quality copy to facilitating data visualization to directing photo shoots to best capture the value proposition of a product. If you’re an experienced writer who aspires to grow within the world’s leading bio-materials company, have a flair for translating highly technical content to broader audiences, and a desire to tell compelling stories, we want you as our Marketing Content Specialist.

Maintenance & Reliability Engineer | Blair, NE
The Maintenance & Reliability Engineer will be responsible for the implementation of the facility reliability and maintenance strategy - they will provide technical expertise, ensure maintainability of new equipment installations, and identify and correct chronic and costly equipment problems though Root Cause Analysis (RCA). This role will focus on reliability of the plant on a short-term outlook by improving procedures; optimizing maintenance strategies; responsible for all predictive maintenance results; optimizing preventative maintenance tasks. This role also provides technical advice to the maintenance and plant staff and provides engineer support for plant issues impacting production over a short period of time. 

Keep up with ALL of our available job opportunities on our Careers page.