Bangkok – May 5, 2026, PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited (GC), a leading global chemical company for better living, is advancing its low-carbon business under its Sustainable Portfolio strategy, which balances business growth with sustainability. This is being driven through its joint venture, NatureWorks, the world’s largest producer of bioplastics, specifically Polylactic Acid (PLA). NatureWorks today marks the official launch of its second production facility at the Nakhon Sawan Biocomplex. This represents another significant milestone for Thailand’s bioplastics industry, aligning with global sustainability trends.

The launch of this new facility reflects GC’s commitment to sustainable growth through products that deliver innovation, performance, and lower environmental impact. NatureWorks, a joint venture between GC and Cargill serves as a key driver in advancing the bioplastics industry. It addresses growing market demand for alternative materials while enhancing supply chain flexibility. This is particularly essential as industries place greater emphasis on feedstock diversification to manage risks amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainties.

This facility is NatureWorks’ second PLA bioplastics plant, operating under the Ingeo™ brand. It utilizes world-class bioplastic technology and 100% locally sourced sugarcane from Thailand as feedstock to produce environmentally-friendly PLA bioplastics. With an annual production capacity of 75,000 tons, the plant reflects Thailand’s capability to operate a fully integrated bioplastics value chain from upstream to downstream. It also adds value to the country’s agricultural sector and connects to applications across various industries.

NatureWorks’ Ingeo™ PLA is a bioplastic that is compostable under suitable conditions and has a low carbon footprint, helping reduce environmental impact. It can be used in a wide range of applications, such as tea bags, coffee capsules, food packaging, and household products, as well as components for electrical appliances, office supplies, phone cases, cosmetic packaging, diapers, cleaning wipes, and face masks. It is also used as filament for 3D printing, serving as a foundation for various innovations. Ingeo™ PLA from NatureWorks is certified by multiple international standards across several dimensions, including bio-based content and renewable carbon, such as USDA BioPreferred, as well as sustainable sourcing standards like ISCC PLUS.

Mr. Saroj Putthammawong, Chief Operating Officer, Value Added Products of GC, stated, “This facility marks another significant milestone for NatureWorks, reflecting the global growth trajectory of low-carbon materials. In a highly volatile world, bio-based materials are playing an increasingly important role as solutions that enhance industrial resilience. GC is confident that NatureWorks will be a key driver in advancing our Sustainable Portfolio strategy, while elevating Thailand’s bioplastics industry to the regional level in Asia”.

Dr. Nattapol Rangsitpol, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, stated, “This bioplastics production facility represents a highly meaningful investment for Thailand, as adding value to the country’s agricultural raw materials—particularly in the sugarcane and sugar industries. It enhances competitiveness and strengthens long-term stability for the manufacturing sector, while creating jobs, supporting community economic development. This project will also contribute to developing the site into a future hub for biotechnology innovation. Moreover, it aligns with Thailand’s Bioeconomy and the BCG (Bio-Circular-Green Economy)commitment, reinforcing the country’s position as a global hub for bioplastic production”.

Mr. Erik Ripple, President and CEO of NatureWorks, said, “The opening of the Nakhon Sawan facility marks a significant milestone in expanding our global PLA bioplastics productioncapacity beyond our first production site located in the United States. Establishing a new production base in Thailand enhance our ability to meet growing demand for bioplastics, particularly in the Asian region. It will also enable us to better support our customers in adopting sustainable materials to achieve their sustainability goals, while accelerating the transition to circular, lower-impact materials and strengthening the sustainable materials supply chain across the region.

This new bioplastic production facility has been designed to manufacture a wide range of Ingeo™ grades, catering to applications across industries that continue to experience strong growth. The commencement of operations further reinforces Thailand’s role as a regional hub for high-value bio-based materials. It highlights the potential of collaboration among the industrial, agricultural, and public sectors to jointly drive the low-carbon economy.