Cargill Dow Pioneers the Future of Biodegradable Plastics - August 2002

Cargill Dow Pioneers the Future of Biodegradable Plastics - August 2002

Cargill Dow Inc. of the United States has begun full-scale production of NatureWorks PLA, a biodegradable plastic, and has completed the largest plant in the industry. This plastic is produced by fermenting corn-derived lactic acid and has the property of decomposing in the natural environment. It is attracting attention as an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional petroleum-derived plastics, and is being adopted particularly in the fields of food packaging and textiles.

The greatest feature of NatureWorks PLA is that it decomposes in a composting facility or soil environment after use. While ordinary plastics take hundreds of years to decompose, this material biodegrades in a matter of months to a year. Therefore, it is expected to contribute to the reduction of waste disposal problems and the realization of a resource-recycling society. It also contributes to the reduction of CO₂ emissions, enabling a reduction in environmental impact over the entire lifecycle.

Cargill Dow has partnered with major food manufacturers and packaging companies to accelerate the spread of NatureWorks PLA. In particular, NatureWorks PLA has been introduced to supermarket packaging and the fast food industry in the U.S., and the market is expected to expand in Europe and Japan as well. In addition, it is also being applied to clothing and textiles, and is attracting attention in the fashion industry as an environmentally friendly material.

In the future, Cargill Dow aims to establish itself as a leader in the biodegradable plastics market by further expanding its production scale and improving its technology. With growing awareness of environmental issues, the company's technology will be an important key to achieving a sustainable society.