Novamont

Novamont manufactures polylactic acid within Europe, currently they manufacture polylactic acid mixed with polycaprolactone to allow for heat stability of polylactic acid or PLA. This allows their product to greatly increase the biodegradation of the polymer PLA at a rate between 2 to 4 times faster than the products made by Natureworks LLC.

Processing
When utilizing Novamont's technology for biodegradable plastic the performance is far superior to that of NatureWorks. Processing the product is limited to extrusion based products and a few injection molding applications due to the product limitations of heat stability or thermostability of the products.

Legal Issues
In 2007, Novamont S.p.A ("Novamont") began proceedings against Biotec and SPH in courts in both France and Italy alleging infringements of three of Novamont's patents. The first court judgement on this litigation was received in France in April 2010 and was in favour of Biotec and SPH in that no proof of infringement was found for all three Novamont patents. Subsequent to this, Biotec and SPH lodged an appeal in France against the remaining validity of two of Novamont's patents while Novamont has appealed against the complete court decision. The result of the case being heard in the Turin court in Italy was received in July 2012 and in the first instance has found in favour of Biotec. Appeal paths are available for these findings and a parallel case remains ongoing in the Milan court in Italy. In separate proceedings, Biotec and SPH have received two first instance court judgements that the relevant, equivalent claims of two of the patents that Novamont have been relying on in Italy and France are invalid in Germany. Novamont has subsequently appealed the German court judgement on one of its patents. The aggregate legal costs incurred by Biotec from commencement of the Novamont litigation to 30 June 2012 are in excess of €4m and the timing and outcome of the litigation in each of these jurisdictions remains uncertain.

Pricing
Novamont currently sells for around $3-5 US Dollars per Kg. Their niche industry is providing the eurozone with compostable garbage bags.