THAILAND: Corbion breaks ground in Thailand on new PLA polymerization unit

Corbion has begun construction on a new 75,000-t/y polylactic acid (PLA) polymerization plant at its site in Rayong, Thailand.

The plant will be based on proprietary polymerization technology from Corbion and Sulzer. Sulzer Chemtech Ltd. will supply key equipment.

Corbion will also expand its existing lactide plant at the site by 25,000 t/y. Both the polymerization plant and the lactide expansion are scheduled to start up in the second half of 2018. Cost of the projects were not given.

Separately, Total and Corbion announced the formation of a 50-50 joint venture for PLA production and marketing, based in the Netherlands, which will launch operations in the first quarter of 2017, subject to regulatory approvals.

The PLA project and the lactide facility are planned to become part of the new joint venture. Corbion will supply the lactic acid necessary for the projects.

Source: Weekly “PetroChemical News”, Durham, NC, USA; 28 Nov 2016

(Syed Rashid Ali, Karachi, Pakistan)