This summer saw a new milestone for Total Corbion PLA’s plant in Rayong Thailand. Since opening in 2019, the facility reached a cumulative production volume of 100kT of Luminy PLA and is now running at its nameplate capacity of 75kT annually.
It is an achievement the company is proud of. As Simon Goldney, plant director at Total Corbion PLA, said, “As with any new plant, the ramp-up phase is critical to reaching full capacity production, and we are extremely proud that our dedicated and passionate team in Thailand have reached this important milestone of 100kT cumulative PLA production.”
Made from annually renewable resources, bio-based Luminy PLA resins offer a reduced carbon footprint compared to many traditional plastics. Products made from PLA can be mechanically or chemically recycled at the end of their useful life.
Moreover, the biodegradable and compostable functionalities of PLA make it the material of choice for a wide range of markets and applications, including fresh fruit packaging, food serviceware, durable consumer goods, toys and 3D printing. These various end-of-life disposal routes offer attractive options to producers seeking more sustainable solutions for their products.
This first PLA plant in Rayong, Thailand, is just the beginning. The company has also announced plans to build a second PLA plant, with a projected capacity of 100kTpa, in Grandpuits, France, which will be the first of its kind in Europe.
François de Bie, Senior Marketing & Supply Chain Director at Total Corbion PLA recognises the need for PLA bioplastics in the market: “We see a rapidly increasing demand from our customers and partners, whether that be supplying existing supply chains or seeding and supporting new development projects.”
He added that ‘we’ll be striving towards achieving the next 100kT in an even shorter timeframe and continuing to enable the circular economy even further’.