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Total Corbion PLA successfully starts biobased, biodegradable polymer pilot plant

By Jenny Eagle

- Last updated on GMT

The biobased PLA packaging. Pic: Total Corbion
The biobased PLA packaging. Pic: Total Corbion
Total Corbion PLA, based in The Netherlands, has successfully started a 1 kTpa PLA (Poly Lactic Acid) pilot plant in Rayong, Thailand, producing various Luminy PLA resins.

PLA is a biobased and biodegradable polymer made from renewable resources, offering a reduced carbon footprint versus traditional plastics, which can be used in food compostable applications such as thin films, bags and coffee capsules. ​

The company plans to become a world scale producer of PLA and is building a 100 kTpa and 75 kTpa PLA polymerization plant at the same site. 

Upon completion, it will produce a broad portfolio of Luminy PLA neat resins: from standard PLA to high heat resistant PLA. 

Our customers have been looking forward to testing and validating our Luminy PLA resins,​” said Francois de Bie, senior marketing director, Total Corbion PLA. 

With the successful start-up of the pilot plant, Luminy PLA from the pilot plant is now available for customer sampling.​” 

BakeryandSnacks reported on plans to open the €65m ($80m) Thailand plant​ last year. 

Simon Goldney, plant director, added the plant in Thailand will also be used to train operators and get a head start on product certifications and regulatory needs. 

It is on track to deliver its first commercial quantities of PLA in the second half of 2018 and in the future will use the plant for further product development.

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