Corbion Purac plans new PLA plant in Thailand

Corbion Purac, based in Gorinchem, Netherlands, plans to build a €60m (US$74m) polylactic acid (PLA) production plant in Thailand with an annual output of 75,000 tonnes – if it can sell at least a third of that volume in advance.

“As part of our strategic review we [have] confirmed [that] there is an attractive demand outlook for PLA, albeit at a lower growth pace than previously assumed,” said chief executive officer Tjerk de Ruiter.

“Given our strong position in lactic acid, our unique high heat technology and the market need for a second PLA producer, we plan to forward integrate in the bioplastics value chain, from being a lactide provider to a PLA producer.

“We will only commence with this investment if we can secure at least one-third of plant capacity in committed PLA volumes from customers.”

For the full story, see the December 2014 edition of Textiles South East Asia. Not a subscriber? Sign up HERE