Corbion to start-up new PLA bioplastic production plant to accelerate market acceptance

27-May-16

In order to further accelerate market acceptance of PLA (Poly Lactic Acid), Corbion has already begun to test, validate and sell pre-marketing volumes of PLA. Corbion's new 75 kTpa PLA production plant is anticipated to start-up within H2-2018. In advance of this, these PLA resins will now be extended to include the North American market, following their positive launch in the European and Pacific markets. Making these pre-marketing resins available in the USA will accelerate market acceptance of PLA and will allow Corbion to gain a deeper insight into the various product-market combinations”, states Derek Atkinson, Senior Business Director for the Americas. “Many customers have expressed a need for a credible and high quality 2nd source of PLA resins”, Atkinson continues. As part of its strategy 'Disciplined Value Creation', announced on 30 October 2014, Corbion is accelerating its thrust into the biotechnology arena, making the next step in the bioplastics value chain by becoming a PLA producer. PLA is a unique bioplastic, being both biobased and biodegradable.Corbion’s portfolio for the Americas markets includes a range of high heat, high performance PLLA and PDLA homopolymer resins, specifically targeted at those applications where durability and/or high heat resistance are key requirements. Furthermore, various standard PLA grades compliment the Corbion product range. The range of PLA products is tailored for use in injection molding, film and sheet extrusion, thermoforming and fiber spinning, and ideally suited to packaging and disposable as well as durable applications. In order to service customers in a timely manner, Corbion has set up a local warehouse on the US continent to ensure short delivery times. For the plastics industry, Corbion Purac offers lactides and PLA resins for general purpose and high performance bioplastics. PLA (Poly Lactic Acid) is a biobased plastic with a low carbon footprint and is used in packaging, disposables, fibers, electronics and automotive markets. Additionally, Corbion is developing100% biobased FDCA for high performance PEF (Polyethylene Furanoate) resin. PEF can, for example, be used for bottle and film applications due to its excellent barrier properties.