CSM to build lactide plant in Thailand
CSM announced that its subsidiary Purac will start with the construction of a Lactide plant in Thailand to produce components for bioplastics. This investment is driven by CSM’s commitment to play a leading role in the development of the market for lactic acid based bioplastics (PLA). This market is highly attractive as PLA contributes, with commercially viable products, to a significantly lower carbon dioxide (CO2) footprint than the traditional oil based plastics. The investment decision is supported by the commitment of our three commercial partners and an increasing number of partners who have signed development agreements, as well as by governmental and consumer drive for sustainable, green products. The investment for this new plant will be EUR 45 million. The new plant will be ready for start up in the second half of 2011 to meet our current level of demand and to accelerate market development.
Gerard Hoetmer, CEO of CSM comments: “This investment will take us to the next step in our bioplastics program, where our proprietary technology gives us a considerable opportunity together with our partners, to grow the PLA market. Even a 1% share of the 250 million ton plastics market represents a huge opportunity for our products and our company.”
The products are aimed for a broad segment of today’s plastics market and enables Purac’s partners to produce bioplastic products with a high heat resistance up to 180 degrees Celsius.
The new plant will be located at the existing Purac site in Thailand. The capacity of the Lactides plant will be 75,000 tons. It is designed to produce both L-Lactides and D-Lactides, made out of lactic acid sourcedfrom the existing Purac plants.
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