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2006-03-24 News Headlines

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NatureWorks PLA packaging, fibers joins Biodegradable Plastics Exhibition

NatureWorks LLC polylactide polymers and Ingeo fibers to showcase packaging and other products at the Biodegradable Plastics Exhibition at Beijing Chuangye Plaza.

NatureWorks LLC – the world’s leading supplier of commercially available polylactide (PLA) polymers that are derived 100 percent from annually renewable resources – and its partners will showcase NatureWorks PLA and Ingeo fiber products at the Biodegradable Plastics Exhibition at Beijing Chuangye Plaza. An independent limited liability corporation owned by Cargill, NatureWorks is working with local companies to develop the market for PLA in China.

NatureWorks LLC is a stand-alone company wholly owned by Cargill, an international provider of food, agricultural and risk management products and services.

“The government and many leading companies in China are embracing the need for a domestic PLA industry. This interest, together with the 2008 Olympics, is creating an environment that is conducive to encouraging the adoption of ’green’ materials and technology,” said Dennis McGrew, chief executive officer, NatureWorks LLC. “Backed by world-scale production capabilities, industry-leading expertise and impressive worldwide success, NatureWorks LLC is uniquely positioned to work with local companies to develop the market for PLA”

NatureWorks LLC is the first company globally offering a family of commercial polymers derived 100 percent from annually renewable resources with cost and performance attributes that are competitive with petroleum-based packaging materials and fibers. NatureWorks® PLA packaging and Ingeo™ fiber products provide the convenience, look, feel and performance of petroleum-based polymers, while minimizing the negative environmental impact associated with petrochemical products.

NatureWorks PLA corn field. Click go for larger image. Photo: NatureWorks/Cargill

“Our company is seeing great interest in PLA from China,” said Peter Clydesdale, managing director, NatureWorks LLC Asia Pacific. “We are excited at the prospect of working with companies in China to demonstrate that innovative and responsible material choices are of potential value in this very important market.”

NatureWorks LLC operates the world’s largest manufacturing facility for PLA – a global-scale operation in Blair, Nebraska, USA. Its proprietary process for manufacturing PLA centers on the fermentation, distillation and polymerization of a simple plant sugar, corn dextrose. The company essentially harvests the carbon stored in the sugar of corn in order to make PLA today.

Ingeo™ fiber products - Wipes. Click go for larger image. Photo: NatureWorks/Cargill

During the past 18 months, the company has seen rapid marketplace adoption by innovative companies globally, reduced cost-per-pound to be more competitive with petroleum-based polymers, and experienced significant sales increases and quarter-to-quarter growth. Its number of customers has more than doubled during that same period with more than 18,000 grocery stores worldwide selling products packaged in NatureWorks PLA. In addition, more than 7,000 retail locations now feature Ingeo blankets, pillows, wipes and other fiber products.

“Working with leading companies in China that can provide strong technical capabilities and broad market access should enable us to develop similar momentum in China, thus helping to accelerate development of a local PLA industry,” continues Clydesdale.

Unique Value for China
NatureWorks PLA packaging and Ingeo fiber products can provide benefits that will help to address many important issues in China, including energy conservation and reduced environmental impact. Peer-reviewed and published life-cycle analysis (LCA) data show that NatureWorks PLA requires fewer fossil fuel resources and is the world’s first greenhouse gas neutral polymer. In fact, the entire production process for NatureWorks PLA requires 68 percent less fossil fuel resources than that used to manufacture polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

In addition, NatureWorks PLA packaging has the flexibility to be disposed of in several ways, including recycling and composting, and fits most local waste disposal schemes. NatureWorks PLA parts are successfully composted in applications where that disposal method is desired and a commercial composting infrastructure is in place. The multiple disposal features of NatureWorks PLA means it can play a key role in landfill diversion as well.

NatureWorks PLA packaging was used for cold drinks served at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games by Coca-Cola. Since then it has been used at a variety of other major sports venues and festival events, such as the AICHI Expo in Japan, Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California, USA, and the Oktoberfest in Germany. Ingeo fibers have been used at venues and sporting events around the world in the form of apparel. Most recently the National Stylist Football team - members include representatives from well known designer brands such as Santo Versace of Versace, Feruccio Ferragamo of Salvatore Ferragamo and Alfonso Dolce, Dolce & Gabbana -wore uniforms made from Ingeo fiber to raise money for charitable organizations in Italy.

Products made from the polymer offer China tremendous opportunity to demonstrate leadership in renewable-based products. Major events such as the upcoming Beijing Olympic Games provide an opportunity for China to showcase its innovation to the world by providing athletes, volunteers and guests with responsible products, without sacrificing significant convenience or cost. Potential product offerings include containers for fresh foods, window film, carrier bags and labels, bottles for fresh beverages, as well as home furnishing and apparel applications.

Find information about Beijing Olympic Games.

NatureWorks and the EcoPLA design are registered trademarks of NatureWorks LLC

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