ABB to automate bioplastics plant for sustainable materials

ABB is partnering with NatureWorks to automate their new, greenfield plant in Thailand, converting sugar cane to the polylactic acid (PLA) biopolymer Ingeo. The new plant in Thailand, will ferment and distill plant-based sugars (in a process similar to making beer or wine) converting the sugars first to lactic acid, then lactide and then polymerize them into Ingeo. In the new site, these three separate production processes will be fully integrated, resulting in significant improvements in energy and production efficiency, ABB notes. In addition, the integration of the fermentation phase will secure the supply of lactic acid. The Thailand facility will use sugarcane as feedstock and is set to produce 75,000 tons of sustainable plastic per year when fully operational. The anticipated projected startup for this greenfield facility is in the second half of 2024.