Total Corbion PLA, the jv between Total (Paris / France; www.total.com) and Corbion (Amsterdam / The Netherlands; www.corbion.com), has started operations. The 50:50 jv is based in The Netherlands and will produce and market PLA polymers. Total Corbion PLA's production plant in Thailand, with a capacity of 75,000 t/y, is under construction and planned start-up is for the second half of 2018 (see Plasteurope.com of 21.11.2016).

PLA is a biobased and biodegradable polymer that is currently used in a wide range of markets, including food packaging, textiles and electronics. It is a fast-growing polymer market segment with an estimated annual growth rate of 10 to 15% through 2025.