10 Top Manufactures of Polylactic acid PLA in the world

2021.02.22

I. Due to the global trend of plastic restriction, the supply of biodegradable material PLA has been in short supply

With the continuous enhancement of people's awareness of environmental protection, an irresistible trend of "plastic restriction" and "plastic prohibition" has gradually formed in the world in recent years, and biodegradable materials have gradually attracted attention. Among them, the development and application of polylactic acid (PLA) is particularly rapid. According to statistics, from 2015 to 2020, the annual growth rate of global polylactic acid market will reach 20.9%, and the global polylactic acid consumption market will reach US $5.16 billion by 2020.

Although the annual production capacity of PLA in the world is more than 250000 tons, it is basically in short supply according to the market situation.

II. Global Top 10 Manufacture of Polylactic acid PLA

The following rankings are in no particular order. If there are any mistakes or omissions, please contact us for discussion.

1. USA: NatureWorks

NatureWorks is the largest polylactic acid manufacturer in the world. It was founded in 1997 by Dow Chemical and Cargill. At that time, it was called Cargill Dow polymers. Later, it was renamed NatureWorks company. NatureWorks built the world's largest polylactic acid production plant in 2001, and is the only enterprise with an annual output of 150000 tons of polylactic acid in the world. It also plans to build a 70000 ton branch plant in Southeast Asia, mainly made of corn starch.

Brand: Ingeo resin

Website: www.natureworksllc.com

2. Thailand: Total Corbion

Total corbion is a joint venture company established by Total and Corbion. In 2017, it invested in a 10000 ton PLA plant in Thailand and officially put into operation in December 2018. Total corbion's PLA plant in Thailand has an annual capacity of 75000 tons. At present, it is the world's largest lactide supplier and the world's second largest PLA supplier.

Brand: Luminy®

Website: www.total-corbion.com

3. The Netherlands: Synbra Technology

Synbra company of the Netherlands has a production line of 1000 tons. Synterra, a heat-resistant biological resin mainly made from plant (sugarcane, etc.), has higher heat resistance than traditional polylactic acid, and is known as "the second generation polylactic acid". Its new plant has an annual capacity of 5000 tons of polylactide.

Brand: Synterra®

Website: www.synbratechnology.com

4. Belgium: Futerro

Futero, Belgium, was founded in September 2007. At present, it has a polylactic acid plant with an annual output of 1500 tons.

Brand: Futerro

Website: www.futerro.com

5. China: Zhejiang Haizheng Biomaterials Co., Ltd

At the end of 2005, Zhejiang Haizheng Biological Co., Ltd. officially put into operation its first 5000 ton PLA production line, with a production capacity of 25000 tons by 2021, and another 50000 tons of PLA production capacity is under construction.

Brand: REVODE®

Website: www.hisunplas.com

6. China: Shenzhen eSUN Industrial Co., Ltd.

eSUN was originally founded in Shenzhen in 2002, which is dedicated in R&D and industrialization of bio-degradable polymers, such as PLA and PCL. At present, it has built an annual production capacity of 10000 tons of polymers, 15000 tons of lactic acid esters, 5000 tons of polyols and 1500 tons of 3D printing materials.

Website: www.brightcn.net

7. China: COFCO Biotechnology Co., Ltd

Jilin COFCO biomaterials Co., Ltd., established in July 2015, is a modern enterprise focusing on the production of bio based materials polylactic acid (PLA). The project has an annual output of 30000 tons of bio based raw materials (polylactic acid) and 30000 tons of bio based products. Its polylactic acid production technology is based on the patented PLAneo® technology developed by Thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions.

Website: www.zlahsh.com

8. China: Shanghai Tong-jie-liang Biomaterials Co.,LTD.

Shanghai Tong-jie-liang Biomaterials Co.,LTD. is a new material high-tech enterprise engaged in the research and development, production and sales of polylactic acid materials. At present, it has a production capacity of 1000 tons of polylactic acid.

Website: www.tjlpla.com

9. China: Jiangsu Supla Bioplastics Co., Ltd

Jiangsu Supla Bioplastics Co., Ltd is a high-tech enterprise focusing on bio based fully degradable polylactic acid (PLA) materials, integrating R & D, production and sales. The 50000 ton PLA project was put into operation in September 2015.

Brand: SUPLA™

Website: www.supla-bioplastics.cn

10. China: Jiangxi Academy of Sciences Biological New Material Co., Ltd

Jiangxi Academy of Sciences biological new materials Co., Ltd. was renamed from Jiujiang Academy of Sciences Biochemical Co., Ltd. It has advanced lactic acid fermentation, lactide preparation and polylactic acid polymerization technology. The first 1000 ton polylactic acid plant was completed and put into operation in 2017.

Website: www.keyuanbio.com

III. PLA is expected to release more than one million tons of production capacity in the future

Based on the rapid growth market demand of PLA in the future, "Made in China 2025" will include PLA and other biodegradable materials as the key development objects of polymer materials. According to the "13th five year plan" of the Ministry of science and technology, it is clearly pointed out that the technology upgrading and industrial upgrading of new bio based materials such as high temperature resistant PLA is one of the development priorities.

In addition, on January 19, 2020, China’s domestic plastic restriction order will be further upgraded. By the end of 2020, China will take the lead in banning and restricting the production, sales and use of some plastic products in some regions and fields. By the end of 2022, the consumption of disposable plastic products will be significantly reduced, and alternative products will be promoted.

To check out the global Production Capacity of PLA and Lactic Acid as of Feb 2021, please view: https://www.okchem.com/news/zIPNRwJT6/Global-Production-Capacity-of-PLA-and-Lactic-Acid-as-of-Feb-2021.html

OKCHEM PLA, PBAT and PBS Distribution Project

OKCHEM is the strategic partner of Anhui BBCA (expected to be the largest PLA producer in China) and Xinjiang Blue Ridge Tunhe (the largest PBAT producer in China) to look for buyers and partners globally. If you want to join us in this project, please contact us at info@okchem.com. You may also make the application online at: https://www.okchem.com/agent/detail/degradableplastics/oem