Ingeo News: September 2021

NatureWorks Passes Final Authorization Milestone for New Fully Integrated Ingeo PLA Manufacturing Plant in Thailand

NBC with caption

MINNETONKA, Minn., August 9, 2021 – Continuing its global manufacturing expansion plan, NatureWorks, the world’s leading manufacturer of low-carbon polylactic acid (PLA) biopolymers made from renewable resources, has obtained final authorization from parent companies, GC International Corporation Company Limited, a subsidiary of PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited (GC) and Cargill Incorporated (Cargill), to build a new Ingeo™️ PLA manufacturing complex in Thailand. NatureWorks plans to invest in excess of $600 million to construct the complex, which will include production sites for lactic acid, lactide, and polymer, making it the world’s first PLA facility designed to be fully integrated.

“Thanks to the ongoing support of our parent companies, our plans for a second Ingeo PLA manufacturing location continue to progress,” said Rich Altice, President and CEO of NatureWorks. “This authorization was an important milestone that ensures we will be ready to begin construction in 2022 on an integrated manufacturing complex that will help us address the increasing global market demand for sustainable materials.” Read the full press release.



The Loss of a Beloved Colleague & Friend, Brian Glasbrenner

On Wednesday, August 11th at 5:45PM, our colleague, Brian Glasbrenner, was involved in a fatal single-vehicle accident. Brian is survived by his wife, Tami, and son, Samuel.

On a typical day, Brian was full of energy, led teams with a desire for accomplishment, worked "hands on," and always had a friendly smile. Brian was instrumental in our business success and most recently led the Americas team during very stressful market conditions. Brian was well-known and respected across not only the company, but also among numerous customers and multiple industry associations. He was an active and avid outdoors person who enjoyed Minnesota summers and winters alike. And, of course, a story told by Brian was always one worth hearing.

We're thankful for the service he dedicated here at NatureWorks.
He will be greatly missed.



BioMarket Insights: The Role of Biobased and Biodegradable Innovations in a Sustainable World

In a recent interview from BioMarket Insights, David Newman, Managing Director of the Bio-Based and Biodegradable Industries Association (BBIA), discussed the importance of transitioning to a circular bioeconomy, the role of the BBIA, demystifying biobased, biodegradable & compostable and current biobased innovations revolutionizing the market.



Thanks to our Summer Interns

Thank you to our 2021 Summer Interns! Our summer internship program wrapped up recently, but we want to give recognition to the people who made this effort so successful.

2021 NatureWorks summer interns included:
Jerrick Edmund, University of Minnesota who worked with Osei Owusu
Natalie Heising, Penn State University who worked with Nikushi Yatigala
and Niki Ung, University of Minnesota who worked with Lisa Beckler Andersen

And of course, thanks to William D. Coggio, who helps organize the internship program at NatureWorks. We look forward to 2022's program as well.

PARTNER UPDATES

Infusion

Aries is recognized by the CDC
Ingeo partner, Aries, was recently recognized as one of the first companies to be listed on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for barrier face coverings that conform to the ASTM 3502 standard - Level 2 Performance for both filtration and breathability. As of publication of their press release, Aries is the only mask on the CDC list that conforms to level 2 for both filtration and breathability for the ASTM 3502 standard and is also the only product 100% sourced and manufactured in the USA. Read More.

3D Printing

IC3D Toys for Tots Effort 2021
It’s not too early to think about the holidays as Ingeo partner, IC3D’s “printer elves” have already started their magic in printing toys for their annual Toys for Tots donation campaign. The “volunteer army” of 3D printers across the nation have already hit over 12% of the effort’s goal of 50k 3D printed toys for kids this holiday season. The effort not only provides kids with fun gifts, but also promotes interest in 3D printing and a democratization of additive manufacturing. NatureWorks is a proud Sponsor Plus of this initiative. Watch the progress here! 

Food Serviceware

Compost Connect by BioPak
BioPak’s Compost Connect is an initiative for stakeholders collaborating to advance composting and compostable packaging in Australia and New Zealand. Building upon BioPak’s current Compost Service with 300+ customers, 14 Compost Partners, and 2,000+ tonnes of organic waste diverted, it aims to help foodservice businesses locate compost collection services, source certified compostable packaging, and help consumers locate businesses that use a compost service and a potential used packaging drop-off. Read more.


KYF Joins RE100
King Yuan Fu Packaging Co., Ltd. (KYF) officially announced its participation in RE100, the international 100% renewable electricity initiative, on August 18, 2021, as the first and only plastic container manufacturer in Taiwan that passed the review and approved by RE100. KYF promises to use 100% renewable electricity by 2050 with stage goals of 60% in 2030 and 90% in 2040 respectively. By gradually moving towards net zero, KYF will do its best to achieve the goal of limiting the global warming of 1.5°C, set by Paris Agreement. Read more.


World Centric Expands NoTree® Packaging Collection
Food serviceware partners, World Centric, announced that they have expanded their NoTree collection of 100% tree-free, bio-based and compostable packaging with seventeen new products. This line includes include a PLA-based, compostable window as an alternative to traditional petroleum-based plastic for operators who want their food to be visible to the consumer. Learn more.

NATUREWORKS & INDUSTRY NEWS

UPCOMING EVENTS

Film Processing and Coating in a Circular Economy: TAPPI International Flexible Packaging & Extrusion Symposium | September 20, 2021 | Rosemont, IL
NatureWorks’ Applications Development Engineer, Andrea Auchter, will present the paper, “Rethinking the Paper Cup – Beginning with Extrusion Process Optimization for Compostability and Recyclability” paper along with colleague, Andy Christie, at the TAPPI International Flexible Packaging & Extrusion Symposium on September 20th. This event is a pre-conference to Extrusion 2021.


INDEX | October 19 - 22 | Palexpo, Geneva
NatureWorks will exhibit at this nonwovens event.




We're Growing!

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

Available Job Opportunities:

Customer Service and Logistics Representative | Plymouth, MN
The Customer Service and Logistics Rep role is responsible for executing a full scale of customer service activities for NatureWorks customers including customer service operations, process development, execution of business strategy, and customer & client interaction/business partnership. This role primarily supports export customer service functions. The Customer Service and Logistics Representative IV will work closely with regional and global internal partners as well as external customers. The Customer Service and Logistics Representative IV will play an active role on the Customer Service team.

SAP Program Manager | Plymouth, MN
The SAP Program Manager position is our SAP Service Owner and is responsible for managing and providing expert level project management for our upcoming SAP S/4 HANA implementation in 2021 and 2022. Candidate will also manage ongoing SAP enhancements, develop and own the SAP service levels, and support projects that integrate with our SAP environment (Advanced Planning, reporting, etc.). Candidate will be the SAP subject matter expert (SME) responsible for mentoring and coaching cross functional teams. Based in Plymouth, MN - open to remote.

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