Ingeo PLA Biopolymer

NatureWorks is a producer of polylactic acid (PLA) biopolymers sold under the Ingeo brand, jointly owned by Thailand's GC (PTT Global Chemical) and Cargill. Ingeo is made from carbon captured by plants, converted into sugars and fermented into lactic acid, offering a lower-carbon alternative to petrochemical plastics and fibers.

The Ingeo portfolio is organized by process: 1 Series for paper coatings, 2 Series for extrusion and thermoforming, 3 Series for injection molding, 4 Series for films and cards, 6 Series for fibers and nonwovens, a 3D printing series, Ingeo Extend for biaxially oriented films, and lactides. In April 2026 the company opened its second plant, a fully integrated lactic acid, lactide and polymer complex in Nakhon Sawan, Thailand, using local sugarcane to supply Asia Pacific. Customers are packaging converters, food serviceware makers, nonwoven producers and brand owners.

• Paper coating grades: 1 Series PLA for coated paper cups and board.
• Extrusion and thermoforming: 2 Series for trays, clamshells and cups.
• Injection molding: 3 Series including high heat technology for cutlery and durable parts.
• Films and cards: 4 Series and Ingeo Extend for flexible packaging films.
• Fibers and nonwovens: 6 Series for hygiene, wipes and textiles.
• Integrated Asian production: lactic acid, lactide and polymer made on one site in Thailand.

Vietnamese packaging converters can use Ingeo for compostable cups, trays and clamshells for F&B chains and export customers. Paper cup makers can adopt PLA paper coating grades. Nonwoven and textile manufacturers can use Ingeo fibers for wipes and hygiene products.

The Thailand plant has an annual capacity of about 75,000 tonnes and can produce the full Ingeo grade range, giving Asian converters a regional supply source. The company states the site is designed for a carbon-neutral to net-negative profile at polymer level based on life cycle data. Ingeo Extend allows up to 7x transverse stretch and composts up to 8x faster than standard PLA, according to the company.

Plastic packaging regulations and brand commitments are driving demand for compostable and biobased resins in packaging, food service and nonwovens. Thailand's Bio-Circular-Green economy model is building a regional bioplastics hub, and a local PLA supply in ASEAN shortens lead times for converters in Vietnam and neighbouring markets.

Jointly owned by GC (PTT Global Chemical, Thailand) and Cargill. Second manufacturing site opened in Nakhon Sawan BioComplex, Thailand, in April 2026 with about 75,000 tonnes per year capacity; visited by a Thai Ministry of Industry delegation in July 2026. In 2025 it launched the KEYGEA compostable coffee pod with FLO Group.