Background

The bioplastics industry is currently experiencing significant growth. This growth is being driven by increasing demand for sustainable products by both consumers and brand owners. Polylactic acid (PLA) is a commercial bioplastic that is in high demand. However, PLA cannot always compete successfully with conventional petroleum-based polymers because of its limited thermo-mechanical properties, including slow crystallization kinetics and inherent brittleness. This leaves a large segment of the potential market untapped.

Technology Overview

This technology addresses the limitations of existing PLA-modification strategies and provides PLA processors (injection moulding and/or thermoforming) with an efficient and cost-effective way of improving processability and properties (crystallization kinetics, degree of crystallinity, toughness, and rigidity) without compromising bio-based content. The use of this fully bio-based nucleating & reinforcing agent may result in PLA parts having higher heat deflection temperatures (HDT) and improved toughness and/or reduced production cycle times and lower production costs.

Benefits

Improves crystallization rate and degree of crystallinity which should result in higher heat deflection temperatures and/or reduced processing cycle times in injection moulding and/or thermoforming operations
Improves impact strength and toughness making PLA less brittle
Fully bio-based
Compatible with existing PLA processing methods
Patent pending

Applications

Potential application is in the injection moulding and/or thermoforming of semi-crystalline PLA parts requiring high temperature resistance and/or improved toughness.

The technology may also have the potential to improve the processability and properties of other bioplastics, such as poly-3-(hydroxyalkanoates) (PHAs), polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), polycaprolactone (PCL), polybutylene succinate (PBS), and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT).

Opportunity

Improvements in crystallization and toughness demonstrated with commercial grades of PLA from NatureWorks. Investigation into improvements in heat deflection temperature and processing cycle time on-going.

Seeking companies interested in in-licensing and developing/commercializing the technology.

Improving Crystallization and Toughness of PLA with a Novel Bio-based Additive

Patents

IP Status

Seeking