NatureWorks doubles production.(Nonwoven News: A Look at What's Going On In The Industry)

NatureWorks, a maker of a broad portfolio Ingeo biopolymers made from plants, not oil, has doubled production to 140,000 metric tons at its Blair, NE manufacturing plant. The investment was the second improvement at the site in less than a year. In late 2008, the plant started a new manufacturing supply process to further lower carbon dioxide emissions and reduce the amount of energy needed to make Ingeo bioresins. As a result, the production of Ingeo emits less carbon dioxide and consumes less energy from sourcing through manufacturing than the most commonly used petroleum-based plastics, including PET, PVC, polystyrene, polypropylene, low density polypropylene and polycarbonate.

In other news, Cargill will assume full ownership of its joint venture company NatureWorks LLC. The change in ownership is part of joint venture partner Teijin Limited's general portfolio restructuring in response to the global economic downturn.

NatureWorks had operated as a Cargill-Teijin joint venture since October 2007. It was Teijin's first commercial-scale biopolymers business.

The ownership transfer will not affect day-to-day operations at NatureWorks. CEO Marc Verbruggen indicated the company retains strong prospects for continued growth. NatureWorks operates the only production facility of its kind with the economies of scale needed to compete with traditional oil-based plastics.

Cargill officials said that establishing the business as an independent, wholly owned Cargill entity provides NatureWorks with the flexibility to pursue a range of opportunities.

Ingeo fibers and plastics are used by more than 100 leading brands and retailers in the U.S., Europe and Asia. Product innovations in broad plastics applications include flexible and rigid fresh food packaging, durable consumer articles, beverage packaging, and in fibers: apparel, home textile, personal care and hygiene applications.

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