Second NatureWorks PLA facility opens in Thailand: 75,000 MT annual capacity
Last update on Apr 30, 2026
Manufacturers working on bio-based flexible packaging, compostable food serviceware, nonwoven fibers, and 3D printing applications can now source Ingeo™ biopolymer grades from NatureWorks' second fully integrated production facility, located in Nakhon Sawan, Thailand.
The site has entered full commercial operations with an annual production capacity of approximately 75,000 metric tons and is designed to produce the full portfolio of Ingeo grades.
You can review the full Ingeo™ biopolymer grade portfolio and compare material specifications directly in the Master Catalog of Plastics.
Integrates lactic acid, lactide monomer and polymer production in one complex
The Nakhon Sawan facility integrates lactic acid production derived from locally sourced sugarcane, lactide monomer production, and polymer manufacturing within a single complex, located inside the Nakhon Sawan BioComplex. According to NatureWorks, this configuration supports efficient regional supply chains and access to renewable feedstocks.
For manufacturers qualifying bio-based materials for packaging and fiber applications, the facility expands supply availability and reinforces access to Ingeo grades in the Asia Pacific region, where demand for bio-based materials has been expanding across packaging and fiber segments.
NatureWorks reports that Ingeo biopolymer produced at the Nakhon Sawan site is made from carbon derived from annually renewable resources, and that production is designed to support a carbon-neutral to net-negative profile at the polymer level, based on life cycle assessment data. The company describes the facility as building on more than two decades of Ingeo commercial production.
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"With the opening of our Nakhon Sawan facility, we are taking a major step forward in scaling access to Ingeo biopolymers globally," said Erik Ripple, chief executive officer at NatureWorks. "This fully integrated site enables us to better serve our customers while advancing the transition to renewable, lower-impact materials."
“This grand opening represents the next chapter in a journey that began decades ago with a simple idea - to create better materials from renewable resources,” said Colleen May, President, Cargill Bioindustrials, and chairperson of the NatureWorks Board. “With this new facility, we are strengthening our ability to scale Ingeo biopolymers globally, while helping our customers meet growing demand for low-carbon solutions.”
“This facility marks another significant milestone for NatureWorks, reflecting the global growth trajectory of low-carbon materials,” said Narongsak Jivakanun chief executive officer at GC. “In a highly volatile world, bio-based materials are playing an increasingly important role as solutions that enhance industrial resilience. GC is confident that our partnership with Cargill in NatureWorks will be a key driver in advancing our Sustainable Portfolio strategy, while elevating Thailand’s bioplastics industry to the regional level in Asia and creating added value for the country’s agricultural sector.”
The investment also supports regional economic development, with NatureWorks reporting that the facility creates skilled jobs and supports local agricultural communities through sugarcane feedstock sourcing. The grand opening was marked by a formal ceremony attended by company leadership, partners, government officials, regional stakeholders, and customers. NatureWorks is the first PLA manufacturer to establish a second production facility of this scale.
Access technical data for 500+ PLA grades and compare specification directly in the Master Catalog of Plastics.