The new plant is planned to be located in Grandpuits, France where Total already owns a refinery. It will be operational in 2024. “In our recently released Advance 2025 strategy one of our goals is, together with Total, to become the market leader in PLA,” says Olivier Rigaud, CEO of Corbion. “This new plant puts us firmly on track to achieve that goal.” Bernard Pinatel, President Refining & Chemicals at Total adds: “Bioplastics are a great complement to meet the rising demand for polymers while contributing towards reducing end-of life concerns.
The plant construction is expected to require capital expenditures of approximately €200 million. Corbion and Total will participate equally in the funding of the project; third party debt may also be part of the financing.
Corbion will continue to be the supplier of lactic acid to the Total Corbion PLA joint venture. Corbion earlier this year announced it will build a new lactic acid plant with
the latest low emission technology in Thailand, expected to be operational in 2023.
Image: stockphoto-graf/Shutterstock
