A new polylactic acid facility planned by Total Corbion PLA, a 50-50 joint venture between Total SA and Corbion, just took another step forward.The company has awarded the contract to provide front end engineering and design (FEED) services to Maire Tecnimont subsidiary NextChem, confirmation that "our Group is a trusted and valued technological and engineering partner for large-scale, innovative and complex projects," said Maire Tecnimont and NextChem CEO Pierroberto Folgiero.
The FEED award is for a plant with the capacity to produce 100,000 metric tons per year of PLA in Grandpuits, France
The plant, due to be operational in 2024, will be the first of its kind in Europe. The new facility will firmly position Total Corbion PLA, which already produces 75,000 tonnes of its Luminy PLA per year at its site in Thailand, as the global market leader in PLA.
In a news release announcing the award, Thomas Philipon, CEO of Total Corbion PLA, called the contract an important milestone.
“It reinforces our commitment to the global bioplastic market as the first company to launch commercial scale lactic acid to PLA capability in Europe,” he said.
Luminy PLA resins are bio-based and made from annually renewable resources, offering a reduced carbon footprint vs. many traditional plastics. The portfolio includes both high heat and standard PLA grades. At the end of its useful life, PLA products can be mechanically or chemically recycled. PLA is used in a wide range of markets, from packaging to consumer goods, fibers, automotive and 3D printing.