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Investment adds 75,000 tons to global PLA capacity
May 5, 2026
By: Karen McIntyre
Editor
NatureWorks, a manufacturer of polylactic acid (PLA) biopolymers made from renewable resources, has recently held a grand opening of its new fully integrated Ingeo biopolymer manufacturing facility in Nakhon Sawan, Thailand.
With an annual production of approximately 75,000 metric tons, the new site brings together lactic acid production derived from locally sourced sugarcane, lactide monomer production, and polymer manufacturing in a single, fully integrated complex. The facility represents a significant milestone for both NatureWorks and the broader biopolymers industry.
Ingeo biopolymer produced at this facility is made from carbon derived from annually renewable resources. Production at the site is designed to support a carbon-neutral to net-negative profile at the polymer level, based on life cycle assessment data.
As the first PLA manufacturer to establish a second production facility, this expansion underscores NatureWorks’ commitment to meeting growing global demand for sustainable, low-carbon materials across packaging, fiber, and consumer applications.
“With the opening of our Nakhon Sawan facility, we are taking a major step forward in scaling access to Ingeo biopolymers globally,” says Erik Ripple, CEO, NatureWorks. “This fully integrated site enables us to better serve our customers while advancing the transition to renewable, lower-impact materials.”
The investment also contributes to regional economic development, creating skilled jobs and supporting local agricultural communities through the sourcing of sugarcane feedstock. By integrating production within the Nakhon Sawan BioComplex, NatureWorks is strengthening partnerships across the local value chain while advancing more sustainable industrial practices.
The Nakhon Sawan facility will support rapidly growing applications including flexible packaging, compostable food serviceware, nonwoven fibers and 3D printing. It also reinforces NatureWorks’ strategic presence in the Asia Pacific region, where demand for biobased materials continues to accelerate.
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