China's largest food and beverage group - COFCO has partnered with thyssenkrupp to commission the world's first commercial bioplastics plant using patented PLAneo® technology. Operated by the Jilin COFCO Biomaterial Corporation, a subsidiary of COFCO, the plant in Changchun, China has already started using thyssenkrupp's manufacturing process for the bioplastic polylactide (PLA). thyssenkrupp provided engineering, key plant components and supervision of construction and commissioning for the new plant in Changchun.
As the bioplastics market is expected to grow at a rapid pace in the near future, the plant is well planned to capture the growing demand for sustainable plastics.
Polyactide (PLA) is a 100% bio-based and compostable plastic, which can replace conventional oil-based polymers in many areas given its physical and mechanical properties.
PLA production needs lactic acid, which is extracted from renewable resources such as sugar, starch or cellulose. thyssenkrupp's PLAneo® technology converts lactic acid into PLA. The technology is scalable as it can be easily used in large-scale plants with capacities of up to 100,000 tons per year.
thyssenkrupp aims to enable their customers to produce sustainable and resource-friendly bioplastics with a wide range of properties - at a price that is competitive with conventional plastics.
Get more insights on the bioplastics market trends and developments at CMT's 13th Bioplastics Market on 12-13 March, 2019 in Bangkok.
