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DUPONT PACKAGING IMPROVES BIO-BASED AND BIODEGRADABLE PACKAGING
Considered a sustainable alternative to petrochemical-derived products, polylactic acid is derived from the fermentation of agricultural products. Bio-based and biodegradable, PLA has held strong appeal among the packaging industry for select industrial applications, which view the strong benefits and consumer demand of offering environmentally friendly packaging. PLA’s attractiveness as a sustainable alternative is enhanced by the capability of the material to be composted in industrial facilities. However, despite its strong attributes and allure, packaging and industrial products made of PLA have been hindered by performance deficiencies that include brittleness and decreased durability when compared to the competing petroleum derived plastics. Leveraging the company’s expertise in polymer modification, DuPont developed Biomax Strong, a petrochemical additive that improves the toughness and reduces the brittleness of PLA materials. Biomax Strong enhances the impact strength, flexibility and melt stability of PLA, greatly improving the performance attributes of the polymer, particularly when used in rigid applications like cast sheets for thermoforming and injection molding. When used at the recommended levels, between one to five percent of weight, Biomax Strong outperforms competing products with improved toughness and minimal impact on transparency. “The transparency aspects give us a strong competitive position versus other tougheners currently being tried. Biomax Strong has good contact clarity at the recommended levels and provides a much clearer container than other alternatives,” said Shanna Moore, Global Market Manager. In addition to enhancing PLA’s high performance attributes, Biomax Strong at the recommended amounts allows the material to still meet the compost ability requirements, a key feature of the environmentally friendly packaging. “We are firmly committed to developing sustainable solutions, including solutions that improve the performance of other sustainable offerings in the market.” Moore said. “By improving the performance of bio-based and biodegradable products, DuPont Biomax Strong can help the packaging and industrial products industries deliver high performance at a competitive price.” Two grades of Biomax Strong will be made commercially available. The first grade, Biomax Strong 100, is available now and was developed for use in packaging where no regulatory food compliance is necessary. The second grade, Biomax Strong 120, is expected to be available in three to six months and was developed to comply with food contact regulatory requirements.
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