NatureWorks, the largest producer of biobased lactides, has announced world scale availability of its new Ingeo M700, a high-purity, polymer-grade lactide rich in meso-lactide. Ingeo M700 has been designed to package and deliver performance and functionality all in one unique molecule.

“A few producers have offered what is described chemically as racemic or ‘DL’ lactide,” explained Dr Manuel Natal, Global Segment Leader for lactide derivatives at NatureWorks. “Compared to those lactides, Ingeo M700 is a next generation solution in terms of processing efficiency, cost effectiveness and, in a number of applications, higher end-product performance.”

Energy efficient

Ingeo M700 lactide can be used as an intermediate for copolymers, amorphous resins, grafted substrates, resin additives and modifiers, adhesives, coatings, elastomers, printing toners, surfactants, thermosets and solvents, the company reports.

Ingeo M700’s melting point is below 60°C, compared to racemic lactide’s melting point of nearly 130°C, and L- and D-lactide’s about 97°C. According to the company, providing a product with a lower melting point allows NatureWorks to supply processors with a more effective chemical intermediate on a number of different levels.

For example, because of its lower processing temperatures, Ingeo M700 is said to offer more energy efficient and generally easier manufacturing processes to deliver ester functionality. Because it is effectively an anhydrous form of lactic acid, processors will not have to deal with water when using Ingeo M700.

Easier processing

Ingeo M700 is said to be up to two times more susceptible to ring-opening reactions than L-, D- or racemic lactides, which can mean less catalyst usage, lower reaction temperatures, faster reaction time and improved throughput.

It can be processed below 80°C, which under most circumstances eliminates the need to handle expensive solid particles and allows easier processing.

NatureWorks

NatureWorks is offers a family of commercially available, low-carbon-footprint Ingeo  lactides and biopolymers derived from 100% annually renewable resources with performance and economics that are said to compete with oil-based intermediates, plastics, and fibres.

NatureWorks is jointly owned by Thailand’s largest chemical producer, PTT Global Chemical, and Cargill, an international producer and marketer of food, agricultural, financial, and industrial products and services.

http://www.natureworksllc.com/