Total – Corbion PLA
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
- Active
- Total Funding
- $200M
- Latest Round
- Corporate Round
- Key Investors
- TotalEnergies; Corbion
Technology & Products
Key Products
Luminy® PLA resins; Standard PLA grades; High-heat PLA; PDLA
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
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