The new division designs, produces, and markets customizable binder
resins, polyols, and chemical intermediates that help innovators within
the C.A.S.E. (coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers) and fine
chemical industries realize differentiated product performance and
decreased systems costs.

MINNETONKA, Minn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–NatureWorks,
an advanced materials company offering a broad portfolio of renewably
sourced polymers and chemicals, has formed a Performance Chemicals
Division to supply lactides, polyols, binder resins, and chemical
intermediates to companies that manufacture innovative C.A.S.E.
(coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers), toners, and fine
chemicals.

“The NatureWorks Performance Chemicals Division delivers renewably
sourced chemical intermediates with tailored functionality at
competitive prices that help customers move through the R&D process
faster with minimal supply chain risk,” said Richard Weber, Performance
Chemicals Division General Manager. “This new business focuses on
collaborative innovation with our customers across R&D, product
development and operations – a far different approach than found today
with most global suppliers of functional intermediates.”

The Vercet tunable platform

Vercet^™
is a new tunable platform of lactide-based chemistries from the
NatureWorks Performance Chemicals Division. The customizable properties
of Vercet polyols provide excellent hardness, solvent resistance, and
low color in polyurethanes. As components in polyester resins, Vercet
lactides can be used to create low volatile organic compound (VOC),
solvent-borne alkyd resins for wood, and metal coatings that have
excellent adhesion and impact resistance. Solvent-borne coatings and
hotmelt adhesives utilizing Vercet intermediate resins offer a tunable
work life, more end-of-life options, excellent adhesion, as well as low
dispensing temperatures for food packaging, paper, fiber board, and wood
applications. Vercet lactide-based products will have direct and
indirect food contact approval as well as inherent health and
environmental safety advantages when compared to traditional chemical
building blocks.

Since NatureWorks uses biobased feedstocks to produce its lactide
monomer, the company does not have the price volatility and supply chain
pinch points of traditional coating and adhesive components. This helps
procurement, finance, and manufacturing personnel at Vercet customer
locations better manage product cost.

For more information on NatureWorks Performance Chemicals Division
customizable binder resins, polyols, and chemical intermediates, write
to [email protected]
and visit vercet.natureworksllc.com.
Follow NatureWorks on Twitter (@natureworks)
for the latest updates.

About NatureWorks

NatureWorks is an advanced materials company offering a broad portfolio
of renewably sourced polymers and chemicals to the packaging, polymers,
fibers, and chemicals markets. With performance and economics that
compete with oil-based plastics and fibers, naturally advanced Ingeo^™
polymers are valued for their unique functional properties and used in
products from coffee capsules and electronics to wipes. For brand
owners, there are new cradle-to-cradle options after the use of Ingeo
products. Creating performance through chemistry, Vercet^™
lactide-based solutions help innovators realize significant,
measurable performance and cost advantages in products such as C.A.S.E.
(coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers), toners, and
surfactants. NatureWorks is jointly owned by Thailand’s largest chemical
producer, PTT Global Chemical, and Cargill, which provides food,
agriculture, financial and industrial products and services to the
world. www.natureworksllc.com;
follow NatureWorks on Twitter @natureworks

Contacts

For NatureWorks:
Americas & Europe
Steve
Sterling, +1 952-935-0078
[email protected]
or
Asia
Pacific & Japan
Pauline Ning, +86-138 1650 1881
[email protected]