NatureWorks doubling PLA capacity

Bioresin producer NatureWorks LLC has added a second line to make polylactic acid (PLA), boosting annual capacity for Ingeo PLA resin at its plant in Blair, Neb., from 150 million to 300 million pounds.

The announcement was made at the NPE2009 trade show in Chicago. 

Natureworks president and CEO Marc Verbruggen said the Minnetonka, Minn.-based company expects to reach that 300 million pound-per-year production level within the next three years.

“After you hit 300 million pounds, you can grow significantly into the billions of pounds,” he said. “Our aim is to be a larger player in the commodity plastics business, not a niche player.”