BIOPLASTICS | MATERIALS
Developments in blending and additives could result in bioplastic compounds that better match the performance and processing of traditional alternatives, writes Peter Mapleston
Taking PLA to the next level
Polylactic acid is the most widely known of all biodegradable plastics produced from renewable sources. But for a long time, growth in the use of the polymer could be said to have fallen short of expectations. In part, that can be put down to the resistance of many markets to try something truly new, but important shortcomings in the properties and processability of PLA have also played a role. That, however, is slowly changing due to a growing array of ways to improve the material through compounding with novel additives and also with other biopolymers, most notably PHA (polyhy- droxyalkanoate). In May this year, long standing PLA producer
NatureWorks signed a letter of intent with CJ Bio — a division of a major Korean food company and a leading producer of PHA — establishing a strategic alignment between the two organisations. At the same time, the pair announced they are working toward a Master Collaboration Agreement (MCA). This MCA will see the two companies working together to develop sustainable materials solutions based on CJ Bio’s PHAct marine biodegradable
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polymers and NatureWorks’ Ingeo biomaterials technology. The partners say the goal of the agree- ment is to develop high-performance biopolymers that will replace fossil fuel-based plastics in applica- tions ranging from compostable food packaging and food serviceware to personal care and beyond. “By combining their expertise and technology
platforms, NatureWorks and CJ aim to deliver next-generation solutions together,” according to a joint statement. “Initial development and collabora- tion are showing very promising results when using CJ Bio’s unique amorphous PHA in combination with Ingeo biopolymer.” CJ Bio is the world’s leading supplier of fermenta- tion-based bioproducts for animal nutrition, human nutrition, and biomaterials with 13 manufacturing facilities worldwide. Separate from the Natureworks partnership, it recently announced commercial-scale production of PHA following the inauguration of a new production facility in Pasuruan, Indonesia. CJ Bio claims to be the only company in the
world producing amorphous PHA (aPHA). The first product under its new PHAct brand, which it
September 2022 | COMPOUNDING WORLD 51
Main image: New blending and additive technologies promise to overcome some of the performance and processing challenges of bioplastics such as PLA
IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK
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