NatureWorks Ingeo plant-based fibres and plastics

NatureWorks produces a material called Ingeo, made from locally abundant and renewable resources, which is replacing man-made plastics and fibres which have until now been petroleum-based.

In the product’s manufacturing process, carbon is captured by plant resources, sequestered from the atmosphere during plant photosynthesis and stored as starch by the plant. This starch is then converted into a simple sugar, dextrose, which is transformed through a process of fermentation, separation and polymerisation into Ingeo. Compared to PET, the material requires 47% less fossil fuel and emits 59% less greenhouse gas to produce.

The material is used to create a diverse range of goods. Bridging both plastic and fibre categories, it can be used in clothing, housewares, personal care, food packaging, appliances, consumer electronics and durable goods. Ingeo lactide intermediates are important to industrial applications including adhesives, coating, surfactants and printing toners. Ingeo foodservice-ware can also help divert food waste from landfills since it can be readily composted in municipal composting facilities.