NatureWorks, a bio-plastics manufacturer, and BioAmber, a producer of bio-succinic acid, have created AmberWorks, a joint venture to bring a new family of bio-based compounded polymer solutions to market. With the formation of the joint venture, NatureWorks plans to commercialize a new family of compounded PLA/PBS resin grades, and is immediately offering samples of developmental grades aimed at thermoforming and injection-molding processes. This new family of developmental compounded resins is designed for food service ware applications. Based on market interest, further formulated solutions optimized for a number of different applications beyond food service will be assessed over the coming 12 to 24 months.

While an assessment of the European Union chemical regulation REACH status is underway, research and development samples are available in Europe at NatureWorks Europe (mailto:email:nw_europe@natureworksllc.com), Naarden, The Netherlands. The regulatory status of these grades in other geographies is under review.

BioAmber owns PLA/PBS compounding intellectual property and applies biotechnology and chemical processing to produce renewable chemicals. These renewable chemicals deliver high-performance, low-carbon-footprint building blocks that are cost competitive with their petrochemical equivalents. Beyond its Ingeo PLA technology platform, NatureWorks brings to the joint venture a global commercial presence, established customer relationships, developed applications across a breadth of industries and deep experience in commercializing new polymers.