PLA Properties Get a Boost

摘要

Four suppliers are bringing out higher-performance materials partly or wholly based on PLA biopolymer. For example, NatureWorks LLC, Minnetonka, Minn, (natureworksllc.com), is making a major capital investment at its Blair, Neb., facility to produce new high-performance grades of Ingeo PLA biopolymers. Samples will be available next year, and commercialization is expected by 2013. A new Ingeo grade for injection molding will offer faster cycle times. NatureWorks will also assess opportunities for these new grades in thermoforming, film extrusion, and stretch-blow molding.