Expansions: Forward AM opens AM centre in Shanghai; NatureWorks on track for new fully Integrated PLA plant in Thailand

Forward AM has opened a new Additive Manufacturing Technical Centre (AMTC) in Shanghai, China, in cooperation with Xuberance, a Chinese 3D printing design and service company that German chemical firm BASF Venture Capital invested in. The new facility will serve as the hub of expertise for solutions and materials for the additive manufacturing (AM) market in China and the rest of Asia.

With this joint initiative, both companies are combining their strengths to offer local customers fully integrated 3D printing solutions: Forward AM contributes with a wide range of high-performance 3D printing materials and deep engineering expertise, while Xuberance brings in its know-how in 3D printing services and design solutions.

Through the Additive Manufacturing Technology Center (AMTC), technical services are available to customers, enabling joint innovation with customers across the Asia-Pacific region. Emphasising the joint commitment to major global equipment manufacturers, Forward AM installed more than 20 3D printers and make major 3D printing technologies such as Selective Laser Sintering, Photopolymer 3D Printing and Fused Filament Fabrication available at the AMTC.

The centre is located in Shanghai Lingang Songjiang Science Park, a hub for numerous companies in the Additive Manufacturing industry to leverage synergies with local partners and customers.

The cooperation between Forward AM and Xuberance is complemented by an investment of BASF Venture Capital in Xuberance. This venture investment is strengthening BASF’s strategy in Additive Manufacturing and will enable Xuberance to further accelerate its growth in the Asia-Pacific region.

“The establishment of the new AMTC in Shanghai marks an important step for us, as we are now able to offer customers in Asia-Pacific a perfectly integrated service – from consultancy, through our high-performance materials, to direct component printing and great design services for successful 3D printing. We are confident the AMTC will become a key hub for Additive Manufacturing in this region, strengthening our capability to co-innovate with our customers,” says François Minec, Managing Director BASF 3D Printing Solutions.

Meanwhile in other news, continuing its global manufacturing expansion plan, NatureWorks, the world’s leading manufacturer of low-carbon polylactic acid (PLA) biopolymers made from renewable resources, has obtained final authorisation from parent companies, GC International Corporation Company Limited, a subsidiary of PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited (GC) and Cargill Incorporated (Cargill), to build a new Ingeo PLA manufacturing complex in Thailand. NatureWorks plans to invest in excess of US$600 million to construct the complex, which will include production sites for lactic acid, lactide, and polymer, making it the world’s first PLA facility designed to be fully integrated.

Construction of the new manufacturing complex to be located at the Nakhon Sawan Biocomplex (NBC) in Nakhon Sawan Province will begin in the second quarter of 2022. With an expected opening in 2024, the facility will have an annual capacity of 75,000 tonnes of Ingeo biopolymer and produce the full portfolio of Ingeo grades.

“Thanks to the ongoing support of our parent companies, our plans for a second Ingeo PLA manufacturing location continue to progress,” said Rich Altice, President/CEO of NatureWorks. “This authorisation was an important milestone that ensures we will be ready to begin construction in 2022 on an integrated manufacturing complex that will help us address the increasing global market demand for sustainable materials.”

Dr. Kongrapan Intarajang, CEO of GC, said, “GC, Thailand's leading chemical company and the world's leading environmentally friendly bio-chemical producer, is committed to operating in accordance with sustainability guidelines and circular economy principles. Sustainability creates balanced growth in economic, social, and environmental dimensions, driven by the framework of the SDGs. Today, GC and Cargill, joint owners of NatureWorks, the top PLA biopolymer manufacturer globally, are ready to expand investment in the biochemical sector following the BOI’s investment promotion approval of NatureWorks.”

“Cargill is excited to take this next step with GC to support the expansion of NatureWorks through its second production facility,” continued Colleen May, president of Cargill Bioindustrial. “This marks an important milestone in our continued efforts to invest in sustainable solutions for bioindustrial customers around the world.”

Following this shareholder approval, NatureWorks has also selected engineering partners for the next project phase. Jacobs previously provided the front-end engineering design for the new manufacturing site and will now complete final detailed engineering for the project. Additionally, IAG, has been chosen to partner with NatureWorks on engineering and construction, providing project management, project controls, and procurement services. Both companies were chosen due to their expertise in executing large global capital projects.

In 2002, NatureWorks became the first company to produce PLA biopolymers at commercial scale. In 2013, NatureWorks expanded its flagship Blair, Nebraska facility to an annual total capacity of 150,000 tonnes, making it the largest PLA manufacturing plant in the world. NatureWorks also announced a capacity expansion in 2020 at their Blair facility to further increase the availability of Ingeo biopolymers.

The expanded global production of Ingeo biopolymers will support growth in markets including 3D printing and hygiene as well as compostable coffee capsules, tea bags, flexible packaging, and food serviceware products.

Subscribe to Get the Latest Updates from IMA  Please click here