‘A significant contributor to global sustainability’PLA bioplastics

purac.com/bioplastics

Why bioplastics?Safer & more friendly for our planetPLA is made from renewable, biobased resources and has a considerably lower carbon footprint than other plastics. It is also biodegradable, leaving behind no harmful substances.

Positive business impactConsumers are becoming increasingly aware of their impact on our planet and are starting to appreciate and seek out more environmentally friendly alternatives. Bioplastics also alleviate our reliance on increasingly expensive oil-based sources.

Why PLA?

Available on an industrial scalePLA is already available at an industrial scale and does not require the start-up investment and timeframes so commonly associated with new polymers. Together with our partners, we can help you make your bioplastic applications a reality.

Highly efficient use of feedstocksPLA is a highly efficient plastic. To make 1kg of PLA requires just 1.6kg of sugar. Other types of bioplastics can require significantly more natural resources to produce the same amount of end-product.

100% biobased PLA resin is 100% biobased and is made from renewable resources.

Proven durable applicationsPLA applications have already been developed and introduced to the consumer market. These applications have proven to be successful, which attests to the competence of this polymer. Whether you are interested in molded parts, film, foam or fibre, just ask us for some sample material and we’ll be happy to assist.

Why Purac?Advanced technology and R&DAt Purac, we engage in ongoing R&D efforts to improve performance and sustainability of our products and processes.The breakthrough in high heat PLA performance, production of gypsum-free PLA and the use of alternative feedstocks are key focus areas for us.

Global presenceWith sales offices on every continent, we are always close by to help you with your application development.

80 years of experiencePurac has over 80 years of experience in sales, application development and industrial scale production of Lactic Acid based products.

80

Consistent high qualityPurac has mastered the production technology to make high purity, high performance Lactides at industrial scale.

Low carbon footprint

PLA bioplastic offers a significantly reduced carbon footprint

versus traditional oil based plastics.

This is important for the health of our planet and is a

growing concern amongst consumers, who are examining

sustainability aspects of their purchases ever more critically.

As media attention increases and regulatory activity gains

momentum, biocontent in plastic will become a more and

more relevant issue for producers to address.

0.0

0.5

1.7

1.7

2.0

2.2

5.0

PLA today

LDPE

PP

PET

PS

PLA targetfor 2015

PC

0 542 31

Emissions from production of common polymers * (kg CO

2 eq per kg of polymer – cradle to gate )

*Source: www.lca.plasticseurope.org & Purac

Purac: a leading biochemical powerhouse

Purac produces high quality Lactic Acid and Lactide using a

biochemical fermentation process. Our partners convert

this Lactide into PLA (Poly Lactic Acid) resin, which forms the

basis for your PLA applications. PLA can be converted into

foam, film, molded plastic parts and fibre: the application

possibilities are endless.

PURALACT ® Lactides from Purac

Looking to switch to durable, sustainable bioplastic for

your applications?

Cradle to Cradle lifecycle

Multiple end-of-life options

• Recycle and reuse

• Compost/biodegrade

• Incinerate/renewable energy recovery

• Anaerobic digestion

• Feedstock recovery

The Cradle to Cradle framework moves beyond the traditional goal of reducing the negative impact of commerce (‘eco-efficiency’), to a new

paradigm of increasing its positive impact (‘eco-effectiveness’). This more comprehensive, sustainable approach replaces the linear economy

with a circular, biobased economy where products are produced from sustainable, natural resources and are re-used and recycled as much as

possible. At their end-of-life, these products then have a range of options to transform them back into feedstock for new, added value product

life cycles.

Sportswear

Fresh fruit packaging

- High heat resistance

- Good breathability

- Soft and tactile feel

- Washable and durable

- Transparent

- Compostable

- 100% biobased and 100% recyclable

- Low temperature impact

- High strength

Automotive fibres

Automotive

interiors

Safety helmet

- High heat resistance

- Durable

- Weavable

- High heat resistance

- Durable

- Hydrolytic stability

- Foamed inner shell

- High impactConsumer

electronics

- High heat resistance

- Excellent surface

appearance

- Durable

Purac has developed a high heat PLA variety that can withstand temperatures up to 180 °C / 356 °F. This

opens up a multitude of possibilities for producers who have - until now - been unable to work with PLA

bioplastics in applications that require improved heat resistance. Ask us for more information on this

groundbreaking technology.

Boots

PLA can be used in a wide variety of applications, and can be

implemented in almost any product and industry.PLA bioplastic applications• Molded plastic parts • Fibre • Foam • Film

Hot coffee cups and lidsGame consoles

- Heat resistance up to 100 °C

- 100% recyclable

- Excellent surface appearance

- Good impact resistance

• heat stability up to 180 °C / 356 °F

• good processing economics

Groundbreaking high heat PLA capabilities

purac.com/bioplastics

Sustainability is embedded in our long term strategy and business

practices. It is based on balancing the elements of People, Planet

and Profit in all that we do. We are working towards our objectives

in the areas of energy, water, waste, packaging and procurement.

By engaging with partners and stakeholders, we aim to increase

sustainability throughout our value chain.

Sustainable business practices

Purac is actively involved in various fundamental research and

development programs to develop cellulose-based, non-food

raw materials into a sustainable feedstock for PLA. Purac is

investigating some specific, currently available, by-product

streams that can be used as PLA feedstock.

Purac is committed to having a pilot facility using these

alternative feedstocks in the near future.

Sustainable feedstocks

As part of our sustainable sourcing initiative, Purac is a member of

Bonsucro and SEDEX. Bonsucro is a global, multi-stakeholder, nonprofit

initiative dedicated to reducing the environmental and social impacts of

sugar cane production. Purac exclusively uses “GMO-free” feedstocks to

produce its PLA monomers.

Sustainable agriculture

Lincolnshire, USASeoul, Korea

Shanghai, China

Bangkok, Thailand

Warszawa, Poland

Moscow, Russia

Rayong, Thailand

Tokyo, Japan

Campos, BrazilSão Paulo, Brazil

Blair, USA

Mexico

Barcelona, Spain

Lyon, France

Gorinchem,the Netherlands

Mumbai, India

Singapore

Global headquarters & R&D center

Production location

Sales (& marketing) office

© Copyright 2012 Purac. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied, downloaded, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical photocopied, recorded or otherwise, without permission of the publisher. No representation or warranty is made as to the truth or accuracy of any data, information or opinions contained herein or as to their suitability for any purpose, condition or application. None of the data, information or opinions herein may be relied upon for any purpose or reason. Purac disclaims any liability, damages, losses or other consequences suffered or incurred in connection with the use of the data, information or opinions contained herein. In addition, nothing contained herein shall be construed as a recommendation to use any products in conflict with existing patents covering any material or its use. Purac Bioplastics - Corporate Brochure - 0912

About Purac

Purac is an expert partner in PLA technology and application development and the worldwide market

leader in Lactic Acid, Lactic Acid derivatives and Lactides. Purac has 80 years experience in the development,

manufacturing and marketing of these products in a broad range of industries.

Purac operates production plants in the USA, The Netherlands, Spain, Brazil and Thailand and markets

its products through a worldwide network of sales offices and distributors. Purac is headquartered in The

Netherlands and is part of CSM.

purac.com/bioplastics