Total Corbion PLA announces the first world-scale PLA plant in Grandpuits, France

Total Corbion PLA, a 50/50 joint venture between Total and Corbion, announces  its intention to build its second PLA plant with a capacity ramping up to 100,000 tons per annum. This expansion would make Total Corbion PLA the global market leader in PLA, firmly positioned to cater for the rapidly growing demand for Luminy® PLA resins. The new plant is planned to be located on a Total site in Grandpuits, France and to be operational in 2024.  

“Announcing our second plant project, less than two years after we started up commercial scale production at our first plant in Thailand, demonstrates our commitment to develop PLA bioplastics and our ambition to become the world leader in PLA. We are proud to be the first company launching a commercial scale Lactic Acid to PLA plant in Europe” comments Stéphane Dion, CEO of Total Corbion PLA.

Corbion and Total, the two shareholders of the joint venture, are fully supporting its ambitious growth plans.

"We are very pleased to announce this second PLA plant project located in Grandpuits, France on Total’s new “Zero petrol platform”, strengthening our successful partnership with Corbion. This is fully in line with Total’s strategy to innovate and grow in circular economy solutions. Bioplastics are a great complement to meet the rising demand for polymers while contributing towards reducing end-of-life concerns”, says Bernard Pinatel, President Refining & Chemicals at Total.

“This is excellent news for Corbion, Total, our joint venture, and for the world. Fully in line with our purpose ‘Preserving what matters’, PLA is increasingly finding its place as a bioplastic, enabling acceleration towards a circular economy. In our recently released Advance 2025 strategy one of our goals is, together with Total, to become the market leader in PLA. This new plant puts us firmly on track to achieve that goal.” says Olivier Rigaud, CEO of Corbion.

The total investment in this project is expected to be approximately 200 million Euro and Corbion will continue to be the supplier of lactic acid.

Luminy® PLA resins are biobased and made from annually renewable resources, offering a reduced carbon footprint versus many traditional plastics. At the end of its useful life, PLA products can be mechanically or chemically recycled. The biodegradable and compostable functionalities of PLA make it the material of choice for a wide range of markets and applications including fresh fruit packaging, food service ware, durable consumer goods, toys and 3D printing.

The project remains subject to the information and consultation process of the relevant employee representative bodies in accordance with applicable laws.