In 1988, Pat Gruber joined the Cargil, & efforts

to create plastic from corn started that year.

Gruber started creating PLA from
fermentation of corn sugar which optimized
the cost and performance.
 Initial Challenges
Initial challenge Petroleum price was very low.
PLA had disadvantages that it intended to adhere to
rollers while manufacturing films and was sensitive to
UV radiation.
Market viability of final product was prime concern to
Cargill, it first developed product prototype and that
were tested by customers on various technical issue.
Initially Cargill was to provide technology and
manufacturing expertise and Dow was to provide
access to its huge customer base and encourage buyers
to switch from petro based to bio plastics.
 Benefit from Govt. norms
In Aug, 1999 U.S President signed new order to
encourage and make bio based products and bio
energy.
This government norms made a huge impact on
bio plastic usage.
In order to create demand to end customer for
PLA packaging, Cargill Dow worked with IPER to
develop a consumer education campaign for
awareness among end customers.
They also participated in trade fairs along with its
fibre partners.