Because it’s made from annually renewable agricultural sources, polylactic acid (PLA) has been a highly desired polymer for reducing the carbon footprint of modern food packaging. Unfortunately, early thermoformed PLA trays showed weaknesses in practice, due to edge cracking during manufacture, and subsequent exposure of the trays to heat-cold cycles and mechanical forces during normal shipping and handling, revealing problems with tray brittleness.

To overcome this, Canadian packaging supplier Tilton Plastics turned to scientists from Natureworks (their PLA supplier) and DuPont to test available PLA toughening methods. An answer was found in specially-developed DuPont™ Biomax® modifier resins, designed for melt-blending with PLA to give it better thermoforming, trimming and handling strength, without significantly reducing natural PLA clarity levels. Resulting “Biogo” trays now are available in many forms, typically replacing styrofoam and PET alternatives.

DuPont™ Biomax® modifier resins are blended with PLA at typical rates of 2-3% to achieve performance levels needed for successful adoption of more renewably sourced packaging.

DuPont Packaging resins help create, integrate, seal, optimize and sustain innovative packaging solutions worldwide, helping efficiently deliver safer, fresher, more sustainable foods, cosmetics, medical products, and other consumer and industrial goods to people everywhere.

synthesis: how packaging comes together

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