Processing of Impact Modifed PLA in a Continous Process at High Speed: Comparison with PET Molding Conditions – A New Era

Abstract

Thermoformed containers are generally produced using PET. An attempt to produce similar containers using PLA was done 10 years ago when it was first introduced on the market. This first attempt came with significant production hurdles like shattering of sheet and parts during the process. Today, a new developed and improved PLA, newly patented and available under Polysole from Solegear Bioplastics, has solved these production hurdles and has improved to such an extent that it is now easier to die-cut it than for PET. Producing containers with improved PLA can be a drop-in technical substitution of material in the process.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Keywords:

• Bioplastics
• Impact resistance
• PET containers
• PLA
• Thermoforming

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors wish to thank Solegear Bioplastics Inc. and Inopak, a division of Cascades Canada ULC for their continuous collaboration throughout the entire project.