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Total – Corbion PLA

MaterialsGorinchem, NetherlandsFounded 2017· One of 961 Materials companies tracked by AMPulse

Produces biobased and biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) resins, enabling a 40% carbon footprint reduction for industrial packaging and 3D printing applications.

CEO / Founder
Thomas Philipon
Team Size
51-200
Stage
Subsidiary
Total Funding
Undisclosed
Latest Round
Corporate Round
Key Investors
TotalEnergies; Corbion

Technology & Products

Key Products

Luminy® PLA resins (bio-based and biodegradable polylactic acid polymers)

Technological Advantage

CLAIMED: 100% biobased and biodegradable. VERIFIED: Cumulative production of 100,000 tonnes by 2023 and integration with Corbion's century-long expertise in lactic acid production.

Differentiation

Value Proposition

Reduces carbon tax liabilities and environmental impact by replacing petroleum-based plastics with 100% biobased PLA, while maintaining high-heat performance in industrial applications.

How They Differentiate

Second-largest global PLA producer after NatureWorks, offering specialized high-heat grades and non-GMO sugarcane sourcing that provides a sustainability advantage over standard bioplastic producers.

Market & Competition

Target Customers

Packaging, consumer goods, and automotive manufacturers requiring sustainable bioplastic solutions.

Industry Verticals

Packaging; Consumer Goods; Fibers; Automotive; Additive Manufacturing

Competitors

NatureWorks, Danimer Scientific

Growth & Milestones

Growth Metrics

Global PLA market growth rate: 10–15% annually; 75,000 tonnes/year capacity; 100,000 tonnes cumulative production reached by 2023.

Major Milestones

2016-11: Joint venture created; 2018-12: Rayong facility startup; 2019: Grand opening of Rayong facility; 2023: Cumulative production reached 100,000 tonnes; 2023: Rebranded to TotalEnergies Corbion

Notable Customers

Danone; ColorFabb; Fillamentum; Sansin; Tridea; NonWoven Technologies; Kimya

https://totalenergies-corbion.com

Why this company matters

TotalEnergies Corbion occupies the second-largest global market share in the polylactic acid (PLA) bioplastics segment, trailing only NatureWorks. The joint venture between TotalEnergies and Corbion was formed in 2017 to commercialize 100% biobased PLA at industrial scale, targeting manufacturers seeking to reduce carbon tax liabilities and environmental impact without sacrificing thermal performance.

The company's core product line is Luminy PLA resins, a family of biobased and biodegradable polylactic acid polymers. Proprietary high-heat formulations differentiate the portfolio from standard PLA grades, enabling use in applications that demand thermal stability. The vertically integrated supply chain, anchored by parent Corbion's century-long expertise in lactic acid production, ensures a stable feedstock for the 75,000-tonnes-per-year facility in Rayong, Thailand.

Customers span packaging, consumer goods, automotive, and additive manufacturing. Named partners include Danone, ColorFabb, Fillamentum, Sansin, Tridea, NonWoven Technologies, and Kimya. In the 3D printing channel, the resins serve filament producers and OEMs seeking a drop-in sustainable alternative to petroleum-based thermoplastics for polymer AM processes such as FDM and pellet extrusion.

The strategic moat rests on the combination of non-GMO sugarcane sourcing, high-heat grades, and the second-largest installed PLA capacity globally. Cumulative production reached 100,000 tonnes by 2023. The primary competitive risk is market share erosion from NatureWorks' larger capacity and from emerging biopolymer alternatives such as PHA, which offer different end-of-life profiles.