China's PLA maker challenges NatureWorks (PN China Blog

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China's PLA maker challenges NatureWorks

Behind the recent launch of China's largest polylactic acid plant stand the Chinese Academy of Sciences and pharmaceutical and chemical maker Zhejiang Hisun Chemical Co.Ltd.

The academy's subsidiary, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, announced March 18 that a new line with 5,000 metric tons (about 11 million pounds) of annual capacity has come on stream, claming the products are "as good as, and some with even better properties" than the world leader NatureWorks'.

The project took off after seven years of research and preparation, the announcement said.

NatureWorks' plant opened in 2003 with a nominal capacity of 300 million pounds (about 136,000 metric tons). But the company has been running at half that capacity, according to a report from PN's sister publication European Plastics News. NatureWorks, however, said it will reach, and probably exceed, its 300-million-pound capacity.

Posted by Nina Ying Sun on March 24, 2008 11:43 AM | Permalink

COMMENTS (2)

Steve Sutton:

It's great that an alternative to PLA from NW is available in China. But 11,000,000 lbs after 7 years is a bit on the low side; not much of a challenge. What are the company's target production levels & products for their version of PLA?

Posted by Steve Sutton | April 7, 2008 11:24 PM

Farid Rouhi:

Dear Sir/Madam

First of all I congrajulate you on the start of the PLA project by Zhejiang Hisun Chemical co. and wish you the best of luck in the future. Our Company' Dupolan Food Industries is looking to invest on a PLA plant (from potato starch) in Iran. If there is a chance of cooperation, I will be more than happy to hear your proposals.Thank you and looking foreward to hear from you.

Farid Rouhi

Managing Director

Posted by Farid Rouhi | July 12, 2008 6:41 AM