NEWS Next steps for bio-based PP
US-based Citroniq and Mitsui Plastics Inc, part of Japan’s Mitsui group, have signed a letter of intent covering large-scale supply of bio-based PP, which is to be produced by Citroniq using biogenic feedstocks and renewable energy. Citroniq co-founder Mel
Badheka said: “Together, MPI and Citroniq will be able to provide customers with global-scale supplies of ‘drop-in’ sustainable resins much faster than the alterna- tives, resulting in meaningful reductions in their carbon footprint, on schedule with their carbon reduction targets.” In a statement announc-
IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK
clients, brand owners, and suppliers. Braskem, which is already
Above: The US is a major producer of bio-based ethanol
ing the agreement, Citroniq said its plant at Kansas in the US has more than 360,000 tonnes capacity for green PP and a “highly competitive cost position.” n Meanwhile, Braskem says
it is evaluating a US-based project to convert bioetha- nol into physically segre- gated bio-based PP. The company is currently exploring partnership opportunities with several
Natureworks moves ahead with Thailand PLA plant
PLA bioplastic producer Natureworks has laid the cornerstone at its new Ingeo PLA manufacturing complex in Thailand. The new facility, located on the Nakhon Sawan Biocomplex, is fully integrat- ed with production units for lactic acid, lactide, and
polymer. When the facility starts up in the second half of 2024 it will have a capacity of around 68,000 tonnes/yr of PLA. Natureworks said the Thai plant will make the full portfolio of Ingeo biopoly- mer grades, currently produced at its original plant
at Blair in Nebraska in the US. “For the last three
decades, we have not only been building a company and manufacturing facilities, but also a whole new industry and market for low-carbon, renewable biomaterials that are revolutionising the sustain- ability and safety of packag- ing and product materials used in our everyday lives,” said Rich Altice, Nature- works President and CEO. The expanded global
Above: Natureworks is moving ahead with its second Ingeo PLA production plant in Thailand
8 COMPOUNDING WORLD | February 2023
production of Ingeo biopolymer will support growth in markets including 3D printing, compostable packaging, and food serviceware. �
www.natureworksllc.com
a leader in bio-based PE, said its bio-based PP would be a drop-in solution offering the same technical properties and recyclability found in its current PP portfolio but with the additional benefit of a negative carbon footprint. The company said the US is home to the largest ethanol industry in the world and boasts ample technol- ogy, infrastructure, and supply availability for such a project. �
https://citroniq.com �
www.mitsuiplastics.com �
www.braskem.com
Polygiene hits the right note
Polygiene’s BioMaster antimicrobial additive is used in the latest musical instrument from UK firm Warwick Music — the pCorder recorder. Developed as part of a school music initiative funded by the Welsh government, 53,000 injection moulded pCorders have already been supplied to schools in Wales. The Biomaster additive will help control microbial growth in the shared instruments. Warwick Music plans to
make the pCorder available across the UK from April. �
www.polygiene.com
www.compoundingworld.com
IMAGE: NATUREWORKS
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