NatureWorks Ingeo biopolymer from renewable plant resources

NatureWorks’ Ingeo biopolymer is derived from an abundant 100% annually renewable plant resource. Carbon is captured in these plant resources, sequestered from the atmosphere during plant photosynthesis, and stored in the starch found in the grain of the plant. This starch is then converted into natural sugars.

NatureWorks uses this plant sugar, dextrose, from a simple existing supply stream as Ingeo’s fundamental building block. Through a process of fermentation, separation and polymerisation, the carbon and other elements in these natural sugars are transformed into Ingeo biopolymer.

According to NatureWorks, Ingeo resins and fibres are a significant step towards a better future. Replacing petroleum with an annually renewable resource for the production of plastics and fibres reduces fossil fuel dependency and is a positive step towards carbon-neutral manufacturing and more sustainable processes and products. The production of Ingeo uses significantly less non-renewable energy and generates significantly lower CO₂ emissions when compared with all traditional oil-based polymers. Compared to PET, for example, Ingeo reduces fossil fuel usage by 47% and greenhouse gas emissions by 59%.

Ingeo biopolymer is used to create a full and diverse range of finished consumer lifestyle goods from clothing to housewares to personal care products as well as food packaging, appliances, auto parts, consumer electronics and durable goods.

NatureWorks will showcase its Ingeo biopolymer at Foodtech Packtech 2012.