Technological watch

US biopolymer specialist collaborates with South Korean firm on high-performance PLA blendsNatureWorks president and CEO Rich Altice (left) and CJ Bio head of biomaterials business Seung Jin Lee (Photo: NatureWorks)US materials specialist NatureWorks (Minnetonka, Minnesota; www.natureworksllc.com) has signed a letter of intent with CJ Bio, a division of South Korea-based CJ CheilJedang (Seoul; www.cj.co.kr), to develop high-performance biopolymers to replace fossil fuel-based plastics in applications such as compostable food packaging and personal care.
The two companies are to cooperate on the development of sustainable materials based on CJ Bioâ??s PHACT marine biodegradable polymers and NatureWorksâ?? Ingeo biomaterials technology.
CJ Bio is a leading manufacturer of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), and NatureWorks claims to be the worldâ??s top producer of polylactic acid (PLA).
In a joint statement, both firms said the initial development work and collaboration was showing â??very promising resultsâ? when using CJ Bioâ??s PHA in combination with the Ingeo biopolymer.
NatureWorksâ?? chief executive Rich Altice said CJ Bio was an ideal partner to help his firm achieve its goal of boosting the impact of its Ingeo technology â??with promising, new bio-based solutionsâ?.30.05.2022 Plasteurope.com [250371-0]