Clear, Heat-Resistant PLA Films in Development

WEB EXCLUSIVE: Dutch producer of lactic acid and lactides Corbion Purac (U.S. office in Lenexa, Kan.) is joining forces with U.K.’s Innovia Films (U.S. office in Atlanta) to develop PLA film that is both transparent and resistant to high temperatures. After Corbion Purac’s recent commercial introduction of high-heat PLA, Innovia recognized the opportunity to work together in order to further develop a clear, heat-resistant PLA film.

Early product development has shown these films to exhibit considerably less shrinkage at high temperatures than existing PLA films and to offer properties much closer to PET. Says Innovia product development manager Steve Langstaff, “Dimensional stability, particularly at high temperatures, is a real weakness in biofilms. This new development will fill a performance gap in the market.” Possible opportunities for the new bioplastic film include packaging for foods (juice or soup pouches) and non-food products (release liners for pressure-sensitive products, window films, and protective films for smartphone screens), as well as industrial applications.