5.06.2008 - 03:00pm ET

Keynote speakers include: • Dr. Masatoshi Matsuda, Senior Staff Engineer, Toyota Motor Corporation, • Larry Wendling, Vice President Research & Development, 3M and • Ron Pernick, co-author “The Clean Tech Revolution”

(CSRwire) MINNEAPOLIS, MN - May 1, 2008 - Excelling in the fast-paced bioplastics industry is impossible without innovation. Without it, biotechnology-based businesses fade to the background of a marketplace cluttered with choices. To help address this issue, NatureWorks LLC is hosting the highly anticipated Innovation Takes Root, the first-of-its-kind international technical conference, focusing on biopolymer polylactide (PLA).

The conference is taking place at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, September 16-18. Designed to meet growing inquiries from the R&D, Brandowner, Product Designer and Product Processor and Engineering audiences, Innovation Takes Root will explore ways to break the clutter using innovative and complementary technologies as a vehicle. An Early Bird Discount for registrants is also available and attendees can save themselves $500 by registering before June 15th.

Keynote speakers from industry leaders Toyota and 3M will explain how they have used innovations as assets to propel their business while keynote Ron Pernick, co-author, The Clean Tech Revolution, will discuss his experience in advising established and new companies on emerging clean technologies.

The conference sets out to facilitate an exchange of information and expertise on specific technical tracks that are relevant to the entire supply chain, demonstrated through the advancements and applications of a wide range of downstream innovators as well as other renowned polylactide producers, scientists and engineers who lead the technology space and technical tracks. Technical track presentations from the likes of Arkema, BioFilm, DuPont Corporation, Eldridge Mount, Fresco, Kao Corporation, Rohm & Haas, Samsung, Specialty Mineral, Unitika, NatureWorks LLC and others will cover subjects such as:

Improvements in thermal properties by nucleation packages, blends and stereocomplex

For the most current conference agenda, presentations and presenter details, including guest keynote speakers, visit www.innovationtakesroot.com.

NatureWorks LLC is the world leader in the manufacturing of polylactide, which it markets under the Ingeo™ brand name. "Our partners currently using and developing Ingeo applications were certainly a key driver for this conference. Today a person can find more than 20 different Ingeo-based applications made from NatureWorks' biopolymer, produced by over 100 commercial partners selling in more than 70,000 retail stores around the world." said Jeff Smith, Technical Director at NatureWorks, "We can certainly understand why there is so much buzz about this conference and we're extremely pleased with the amount of interest we're receiving. We've got folks beating down our door to attend this conference, and we’ve only just begun to spread the word about the event."

Innovation Takes Root is also offering opportunities for participants to sponsor the event and exhibit products and services during the 3 day conference. Details on remaining exhibit space and sponsorship opportunities can be found at www.innovationtakesroot.com.

About NatureWorks LLC:
NatureWorks LLC is a company dedicated to meeting the world’s needs today without compromising the earth’s ability to meet the needs of tomorrow. NatureWorks LLC is the first company to offer a family of commercially available low-carbon footprint biopolymers derived from 100 percent annually renewable resources with performance and economics that compete with oil-based plastics and fibers. The production of these biopolymers uses less fossil fuel and emits fewer green-house gases than conventional polymers. The company applies its proprietary technology to process natural plant sugars to make NatureWorks® biopolymer, which is then used uniquely to make and market finished products under the Ingeo™ brand name. NatureWorks LLC is a joint venture between Cargill in the US and Teijin Limited of Japan. For more information, visit www.natureworksllc.com.

NatureWorks, Ingeo and the Ingeo logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of NatureWorks LLC in the USA and other countries.

Ingeo™, ingenious materials made from plants not oil.

For more information please contact:

Mary Rosenthal
NatureWorks LLC
+1-952-742-0571
www.natureworksllc.com

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