NatureWorks Creates Performance Chemicals Division and Launches Vercet Product Line

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.

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“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 vercet@natureworksllc.com 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

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