US materials specialist NatureWorks (Minnetonka, Minnesota; www.natureworksllc.com) has signed a letter of intent with CJ Bio, a division of South Korea-based CJ CheilJedang (Seoul; www.cj.co.kr), to develop high-performance biopolymers to replace fossil fuel-based plastics in applications such as compostable food packaging and personal care.

The two companies are to cooperate on the development of sustainable materials based on CJ Bio’s PHACT marine biodegradable polymers and NatureWorks’ Ingeo biomaterials technology.

CJ Bio is a leading manufacturer of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), and NatureWorks claims to be the world’s top producer of polylactic acid (PLA).

In a joint statement, both firms said the initial development work and collaboration was showing “very promising results” when using CJ Bio’s PHA in combination with the Ingeo biopolymer.

NatureWorks’ chief executive Rich Altice said CJ Bio was an ideal partner to help his firm achieve its goal of boosting the impact of its Ingeo technology “with promising, new bio-based solutions”.