The new relationship between NatureWorks, the manufacturer of Ingeo biopolymer, made from plants, not oil, and U.S. Pacific was announced in April at the international biopolymers conference, “Innovation Takes Root 2010,” in Dallas. The conference, organized by NatureWorks, also featured announcements about several additional advances with Ingeo in fibers and nonwovens.
U.S. Pacific Nonwovens Chief Technology Officer Dr. Larry Wadsworth said, “We see huge potential for readily substituting Ingeo for PET on many spun-bond lines in China and other countries in Asia.”
The new commercial relationship is a natural one, as U.S. Pacific Nonwovens is also the exclusive agent for Biax-Fiberfilm for stand-alone Biax melt-blown lines in the Asia Pacific Region. Biax President, Doug Brown recently said his firm has demonstrated significant capability with Ingeo processing on its melt-blown lines.
Dr. Wadsworth laid the groundwork for the U.S. Pacific Nonwovens announcement during his presentation at the “Innovation Takes Root, Advances in Ingeo Fibers and Nonwovens” conference track. Wadsworth presented the results of USDA-funded research on biodegradable mulches for crops produced under protective covers, which included an assessment of next-generation nonwovens including Ingeo. He concluded with new results based on work done at Biax-Fiberfilm and U.S. Pacific in China on the blending of Ingeo with PHA’s to produce melt-blown wet wipes fabric not only with improved shelf-life in the package, but also with enhanced biodegradation in river water, mud, and compost.
