NatureWorks Doubles PLA Capacity

WEB EXCLUSIVE: In July, NatureWorks LLC, Minnetonka, Minn., completed an expansion that doubles its capacity for Ingeo polylactide (PLA) biopolymers at Blair, Neb. Capacity is now 300 million lb/yr. The expansion was driven by growing demand for renewably sourced and biodegradable materials, such as the move by Frito-Lay North America, Plano, Tex., to roll out a 100% compostable PLA snack chip bag by Earth Day 2010. Today, just the outer layer, or 33%, of its SunChips multigrain snack bag is PLA.