NatureWorks to plan investment of 13 billion dollars for setting up new plant in Thailand

NatureWorks LLC is planning to build a factory for manufacturing of PLA polymers in Thailand. The company has been developed as a result of collaboration of PTT Global Chemical plc and Cargill Inc. NatureWorks investment of 13 billion baht on the new plant has been delayed due to unstable situations going on in Thailand. The two phase project generates total 150,000 tons of PLA to be applied for production of bio-based plastics. According to the statement of Viboon Pungprasert, the general manager of the company, if people offers support such as investment incentives, grant and soft loan, it becomes easier to take decision for the launch of the project.

Read more about the matter here at - http://investing.businessweek.com/research/markets/news/article.asp?docKey=600-201408200652KRTRIB__BUSNEWS_40925_10597-1

The project being planned to work for production of bio-plastics utilizes sugar, maize and cassava products. The general manager further states that investment will definitely be supportive for the Thailand’s bio-plastics plant as the product being generated is eco friendly and highly in demand in car and food industries. As there are over 3K plastic converters made up of fossils in the country; Thailand will enjoy good position while competition in the international industry. The polylactic acid and PBS are the two products to be utilized in the packaging industry.

Lego Looks Shifting into Bioplastics

Lego, the international manufacturer of building blocks for kids is now soon to launch a long term sustainability program on the basis of bioplastics. The material engineer of the company, Alan Rasmussen stated that it is already planned and nothing but a matter of time now. According to statistics, Lego consumes about 60K metric tons of plastic every year in its huge captive molding plants situated in Mexico, Hungary and Denmark. Full story about the issue can be explored here - http://www.plasticstoday.com/articles/lego-investigates-shift-bioplastics0218201401

Although, the planning of this long term sustainability program is still going on and some interruptions seems to address the way such as the poly lactic acid delivered by Nature Works is not working well to meet internal test requirements of Lego still middle way to sought out the problem is being paved by the management. According to Alan, it’s really intolerable for the company and customers both that PLA bricks can be pressed well together but cannot be kept locked over a couple of weeks. Moreover, the company is now looking for the elaboration of models that can remain stagnant for longer time period.

On other hand, Nature Works’ spokesman states that they are aware about the creep property of PLA and factors to work behind this property, the only thing  to be done is investigation of solutions and the team of Nature Works’ is working on it. Although Lego is also testing other bioplastics but they are not identified yet.

PLA foam from Synprodo is finally in the market

Germany in the month of September saw the FachPack 2013 exhibition where the world got to know a company which is based in Netherlands, has launched its first BioFoam made from Poly lactic acid or PLA as it is popularly known. Synbra Holding which is known for manufacturing expanded polypropylene, EPP, and expanded polystyrene, EPS, and this BioFoam is going to an alternative to both of these, as the materials which this uses is different than the above mentioned products, PLA, which is prepared from cassava starch and sugar cane which are renewable materials. Synprodo is a part of Synbra Holding.

Carbon dioxide is what is impregnated in PLA pellets, and expanded by a temperature change into BioFoam beads, which can directly be applied into various processes like the cavity fill insulation, or can be further processed for other purposes or packaging.

Since it is not degradable at room temperature and is still bio degradable BioFoam can be used and re used without any loss in the material or quality, said Synprodo. This BioFoam comes with a certification from Cradle to Cradle which is prestigious and according to Synprodo it is the very first time that a biodegradable foam as been entitled to this award.