Corbion to build PLA plant in Thailand

Corbion has completed the pre-engineering for a PLA polymerization plant that it will construct in Thailand.  Noting the strong demand for PLA, Corbion commenced with pre-engineering phase of the project in 2015.  The company has obtained the necessary technical and financial validation for such a plant, according to Tjerk de Ruiter, CEO of Corbion.

WIth an annual capacity of 75 kT, the plant will be located at the existing Corbion site in Thailand's Rayong Province. Once operational, the new plant will be able to produce a complete portfolio of PLA polymers, ranging from standard PLA to innovative high-heat resistant PLA.

Corbion is also set to expand its existing lactide plant in Thailand by 25 kTpa. With this expansion,  the company will be able to serve both its own PLA plant and current and future lactide customers. The lactide expansion will also enable the production of a wider range of lactides than is currently possible.

The projects entail capital expenditures of about €65 million for the PLA plant and €20 million for the lactide plant. Construction is expected to start later this year with a targeted start-up in the second half of 2018. Corbion’s pre-marketing activities continue and a portfolio of PLA resins is commercially available for technical validation.