On May 27, 2021, Thailand has approved the project application of NatureWorks Asia Pacific (a wholly-owned subsidiary of NatureWorks LLC). The project plans to produce 75,000 tons of PLA per year with an investment of more than US$490 million.
In fact, in September last year, NatureWorks announced that it would continue to explore overseas markets and find a second production base.
Ms. Duangjai asawachinachit, secretary-general of the council, said: “This project once again demonstrates Thailand’s leadership in the bioplastics value chain in the ASEAN region.” “Our strong agricultural base provides the required raw materials, and our logistics network and strategic location enable Companies can fully realize their investment potential."
The plant will be located at the Nakhon Sawan Biological Complex, 200 kilometers north of Bangkok. The project is in line with Thailand's BCG (Ecological Cycle-Green Economic Activity) concept. NatureWorks Asia Pacific is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NatureWorks LLC, the world's leading PLA manufacturer. The company's PLA is sold under the Ingeo trademark.
From 2015 to March this year, the Investment Authority of India approved a total of 21 bioplastic value chain projects, from upstream to downstream, with a total investment of more than 31 billion baht. Most of these projects have already been put into production.
Company Profile
NatureWorks of the United States, the world's leading manufacturer of low-carbon biomaterials-polylactic acid, yesterday announced a new manufacturing technology project, including improving the efficiency of the purification technology of the monomer lactide used to synthesize PLA. This will increase the company's polylactic acid patented product Ingeo™ biomaterial product supply by 10%. Currently, the NatureWorks plant in Blair, Nebraska is in the final construction phase, which is the world's first and largest commercial-scale PLA manufacturing plant. The factory renovation project is expected to be completed by the end of 2021.
NatureWorks is now one of the largest PLA polylactic acid producers in the world, offering a broad portfolio of renewable resource polymers and chemical products. PLA relies on the performance and economy of biodegradable materials to compete with oil-based materials. Natural and advanced Ingeo™ biomaterials are valued for their unique functional properties. NatureWorks is jointly owned by Thailand's largest ASEAN leading integrated petrochemical and refining company, PTT Global Chemical and Cargill.
