BIOPLASTICS | MATERIALS


Thermoforming boost


Speakers at the latest Bioplastics event, organised by AMI, presented a wide range of bio-based materials and processing technologies. Kuraray showed details of how its


starch-based Plantic material can be used to make thermoformed barrier packaging. Tom Black, director of international business for Plantic, said the polymer is made from starch sources that contain high amounts of amylose – a linear polysaccharide. Plantic has similar properties to PET, he said – with the ability to be thermoformed on standard equipment at 120-130°C. At the same time, barrier


properties are “comparable to that of conventional barrier resins”, he said. Its oxygen barrier is similar to that of


EVOH, while the moisture barrier is comparable with nylon 6. Potential applications include cheese and meat packaging. It also has high puncture resistance – making it suitable for items such as bone-in meat. One grade, called FX, offers


deeper-draw properties and improved barrier. Shilpa Manjure, director of R&D at


Natur-Tec USA, focused on the thermoformability of bioplastics – in this case PLA as a replacement for polystyrene (PS). In the case of lids for coffee cups, PLA cannot be used as a drop-in replacement for PS, as its heat performance is inferior when made using the same one-stage forming process. “PLA formed in the same process is


was introduced at K2025 last year – enhances the performance of Ingeo Extend 4950D, enabling efficient processing of biaxially-oriented PLA (BOPLA) films on existing BOPP equipment. This allows customers to produce high-performance, compostable films with up to 7x transverse direction stretch, offering smoother processing, good printability and enhanced optical properties. The masterbatch improves the surface quality of


BOPLA co-ex films for efficient film handling and enhanced barrier properties. In the inner layer, it increases surface roughness, preventing the film from sticking during winding and secondary processing. In the outer layer, it helps create a smooth, uniform surface to obtain a continuous layer of aluminium with strong adhesion. This


reduces defects in the metal coating, which is key to raising barrier


properties. The results were confirmed by trials at Brueckner.


Coffee time Bio-Fed, part of Akro-Plastic, has developed a bio-based compound for coffee capsules that is home-compostable and has a high oxygen barrier. MVera GP1065 has been developed to protect


the aroma of coffee and extend the shelf life of coffee in capsules. This is accomplished through enhanced barrier properties, with much lower oxygen permeability than previous materials. The food compliance of the biocompound has been


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not high-heat resistant,” she said. This is usually overcome using a two-stage process, which improves crystallisation. However, Natur-Tec has devised a one-stage forming process that uses heated forming air to achieve this. The process has a 20°C wide processing window (120-140°C). She presented results showing that


its XF5003 grade has higher heat resistance than a typical PS grade – and 25% higher stress before breaking. “The lids demonstrate stable thermal performance up to 120°C, ensuring reliability in boiling water conditions,” she said. � www.amiplastics.com � www.kuraray.us.com � www.ntic.com


confirmed in accordance with EU 10/2011 and the FDA. Its translucent beige colour can also be adapted to meet specific colour requirements. One advantage in terms of sustainability is the home compatibility, which allows it to be disposed of in domestic compost and uses the natural fertilising properties of coffee grounds in the biological cycle. With a bio-based content of over 98%, the partial carbon footprint is reduced compared to fossil-based plastic.


Bio portfolio FKuR presented an expanded portfolio of bioplastics at K2025.


Highlights included its soil-biodegradable


Bio-Flex N grades for agricultural and farming products, which leave no persistent microplastics behind. Key features of the new Bio-Flex N series


Below: MVera from Bio-Fed can be used to make home- compostable coffee capsules


IMAGE: BIO-FED January/February 2026 | FILM & SHEET EXTRUSION 15


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