Futerro launches the first fully integrated PLA plant in China in collaboration with BBCA Biochemical.
Futerro, a subsidiary of the Belgian Galactic group, has started operating the first integrated PLA production unit in China in collaboration with its historical partner BBCA Biochemical. PLA (poly lactic acid) is a bioplastic made of lactic acid, which is produced by the fermentation of corn sugar or any other form of carbohydrate from biomass. Located in the city of Bengbu (Anhui), the PLA unit reportedly has a capacity of 30,000 tons/year and is supplied by a lactic acid unit with a capacity of 80,000 tons, that also supplies a company belonging to Galactic producing food ingredients based on lactic acid for the Asian market.
The three factories were built in 24 months by a mixed Belgian-Chinese team. For Futerro and the Galactic group, it is the result of 30 years of work dedicated to the development of cutting-edge technology for the production, use and recycling of PLA, according to the company.
The new lactic acid and PLA units incorporate new, patented technologies that reportedly allow the production of high-quality products at competitive costs. Futerro and BBCA are already planning to bring the lactic acid production to 180,000 tons/year (which will make it one of the largest units in the world, according to the company) and that of PLA to 100,000 tons/year, which will reportedly lead Asia in terms of capacity
“This first plant is an important step in Futerro’s evolution. Today, we see that the PLA is beginning to find its place in the world of plastics not only due to its natural origin but also to its intrinsic properties. We believe that after 30 years of development, the PLA will experience a strong acceleration in the upcoming years,” says Frédéric van Gansberghe, CEO of Futerro.
He adds, “If speaking only about China, the number of new applications that have been prepared in advance by the local industry in anticipation of the opening of our factory is impressive: food packaging in injected form, films, foams, insulation products, agricultural films, textile fibers, 3D filaments, cases for electronics, furniture, construction joineries, carpets, bedding, filtrations, bottles and cans, auto parts...”
For more information, visit: www.futerro.com
