ORIGINAL RESEARCH: The eco-profile for current Ingeo ^® polylactide production

Ingeo® polylactides are biopolymers with varied applications made entirely from annually renewable resources and produced since 2001 by NatureWorks LLC at a 140 000 tonne/yr facility in Blair, Nebraska, USA. NatureWorks’ objectives include eliminating nonrenewable energy use and the emissions of greenhouse gases, as well as minimizing nonvaluable co-products and reducing water use. These objectives are being accomplished through continual improvement of the Ingeo production technology. Since 1998, NatureWorks and Cargill Inc. have worked to develop technology improvements, especially in the area of lactic acid production. In December 2008, new lactic acid production technology was implemented that resulted in a reduced environmental footprint. This paper provides the latest cradle-to-polymer-factory-gate life cycle inventory data (also referred to as an eco-profile) for Ingeo as being produced starting in 2009. It also provides a description of the 2009 Ingeo production system and compares the current energy requirements and greenhouse gas emissions with previous and future Ingeo production systems. Finally, this study benchmarks the results for these two paramaters, with data valid for a selection of fossil-based polymers.