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2 Thrive MINNETONKA <br />The Thrive Minnetonka business spotlights showcases local businesses to foster a sense of pride in our thriving business community. For consideration, email Rob Hanson at rhanson@eminnetonka.com. Include basic information, why you chose Minnetonka and how your business positively impacts the community. <br />NatureWorksBUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: <br />How it works <br />To make its Ingeo pellets, NatureWorks extracts glucose from plants, which is eventually polymerized into its final form. The pellets are used globally for a wide-range of innovative products, including food service ware, electronics, appliances, packaging and more. All the while, NatureWorks is extremely responsible about how its product is developed, used and thrown away. <br />Minnetonka proud <br />NatureWorks got its start in 1989, when Minnetonka-based company Cargill started a research project to develop more sustainable plastics. That project grew, matured and spun off into NatureWorks, now a global company with facilities in four countries. <br />NatureWorks’ Minnetonka headquarters is home to 72 employees, including administration, sales, marketing and research and development with six different dedicated labs. There, scientists conduct experiments 24/7 to continually push the boundaries of what’s possible. <br />Business resources give NatureWorks a lift <br />The company’s rapid growth led NatureWorks to look for ways to expand. Minnetonka’s economic development team helped the company apply for the “Minnesota Investment Fund,” which provides financing to businesses to help add new workers and retain high-quality jobs. <br />The financing was a resounding success. Instead of the six jobs it was required to create, NatureWorks exceeded expectations with 11 new positions. The financing also supplemented additions to its lab. As a result, NatureWorks anticipates continued growth over the next five years. <br />“Without the support of such a program, we would not have been able to construct the lab facilities with all their current capabilities,” said Ford. “The City of Minnetonka was very helpful. With multiple parties involved, it was nice to have the city walk us through the process.” <br />Learn more <br />Visit natureworksllc.com to learn more about NatureWorks. Get more information about the Minnesota Investment Fund and how it could help your business on Page 3. <br />Just off Minnetonka Boulevard sits a <br />nondescript business park, home to <br />a wide variety of businesses. Though <br />it doesn’t look like much from the <br />outside, what’s happening behind <br />the walls is a much different story <br />– one that includes cutting-edge <br />research transforming products we <br />use daily and simultaneously helping <br />the environment. <br />NatureWorks couldn’t be more aptly named. It literally makes nature work to create its star product, Ingeo, which is a new material used to create plastics, fibers, foam and more. You’ve almost certainly used a utensil, cup or coffee capsule made from Ingeo. It’s the only company in the world that has commercial production for this specific plant-based biopolymer. <br />“Everyone from consumers to brands to governments are requiring materials that can be recycled or composted and are made from renewable resources,” said NatureWorks’ Leah Ford. “Our biomaterials fill this need. We’ll keep growing to meet this market demand and we’ll continue to develop the next generation of biomaterials.”