Transmaterial

NatureWorks

Cargill Dow has invented a new technology to produce performance polymers entirely from annually renewable resources. Using a patented technology, they start with natural sugars derived from plants such as corn, wheat, beets and rice and use fermentation to create lactic acid (a food additive) and some simple refining steps to create polylactide polymers (PLA). The result is the only commercially viable polymer to combine performance and cost competitiveness with outstanding environmental benefits.

NatureWorks clear plastic polylactide PLA can be shaped into a variety of bottles, containers, trays, film and other packaging. NatureWorks LLC operates a global-scale facility in Blair, Nebraska, USA, capable of producing more than 140,000 metric tons (300 million pounds) of NatureWorks PLA per year. From cradle to resin, the production of NatureWorks PLA uses 68 percent less fossil fuel resources than traditional plastics (PET) and it is the world's first greenhouse-gas-neutral polymer. [Excerpted from the NatureWorks LLC website; suggested by Carsten Stinn, Seattle.]

posted by Blaine @ 7:32 AM