Minneapolis-based Cargill and Tokyo-based Teijin Ltd. have agreed to form a joint venture in which
Teijin will acquire a 50-percent interest in Cargill subsidiary NatureWorks LLC, the Minnetonka,
Minn.-based manufacturer of NatureWorks® biopolymer made from renewable resources. Completion of
the joint venture, subject to regulatory approval, is anticipated before the end of this year.
NatureWorks¹ polylactic acid (PLA) plant in Blair, Neb., is the first and largest
commercial-scale biopolymer manufacturing plant worldwide, according to Cargill. Production is
approaching capacity, and since 2005, volume has more than doubled. Currently, more than 100 brands
in the United States, Asia and Europe offer products ranging from apparel and home textiles to
personal care and hygiene products, food and beverage packaging, and durable consumer goods that
are marketed using NatureWorks’ Ingeo® brand. Under the joint venture, Cargill and Teijin expect to
accelerate the company¹s growth globally and expand its product offerings.
will be of immeasurable value as we grow production at our Blair, Neb., facility and consider
additional expansion in the fast-growing global marketplace,” said Guillaume Bastiaens, vice
chairman, Cargill. “NatureWorks will greatly benefit from Teijin’s expertise in technology and
end-use application development. Teaming up with Teijin will allow more brand owners, retailers and
converters to address their global interest in sustainable solutions using NatureWorks biopolymer.”
NatureWorks will continue to be based in Minnetonka, and senior management is expected to
remain in place.
November/December 2007