The packaging industry, which remains thankfully free of acronyms, has been talking a lot about PLA lately. PLA, or polylactic acid, is a plastic packaging material that is attracting great interest due to its sustainable packaging characteristics.
PLA is manufactured from sugar cane in many parts of the world and from corn starch here in the U.S. Starch-based plastic polymers can be manufactured in rigid and flexible form, making them quite versatile and suitable for a wide range of packaging items. These include – poly bags, shrink films, loose fill packaging, food packaging items, beverage containers, food containers, thermoformed trays, and disposable cutlery.
The amount of starch-based materials in a given packaging product or material varies widely, from less than 10% to greater than 90%. For significant product breakdown to occur, starch content should exceed 60%. As consumer demand for biodegradable and compostable packaging continues to rise, the availability of PLA and other starch-based composite materials will continue to rise.
PLA manufacturing technologies have already grown in sophistication. PLA films and packaging materials are available that perform in a wide range of temperatures. PLA containers for freezer and microwavable applications are available. Shrink film, a packaging film that must perform to very precise specifications, is also available in PLA formulations.
If you are interested in exploring PLA materials for your packaging application, please contact us. Heritage Pioneer has a strong commitment to sustainable packaging, and we have been at the forefront of enabling manufacturers and distribution centers to adopt more eco friendly packaging practices – without sacrificing performance or economy.
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Packaging Materials, Packaging Equipment, Packaging Solutions
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