Corbion Purac, Innovia To Develop Heat-Resistant PLA Films

LEXENA, Kan.Innovia Films, a global manufacturer of biofilms, and Corbion Purac, a leader in lactic acid and lactides, are joining forces to develop PLA (poly lactic acid) film that is both transparent and resistant to higher temperatures.

High heat PLA was brought to market following research efforts by Corbion Purac. As a result, Innovia recognized an opportunity to work together to further develop a transparent, heat resistant PLA film.

Many biopolymers, including existing PLA, have limited heat resistance, meaning that manufacturers are limited to oil-based plastics for many applications. Corbion Purac and Innovia are working together to create a biobased, temperature-stable, transparent PLA film. Early product development has shown that these films exhibit less shrinkage at high temperatures compared to existing PLA films and offer properties much closer to oil-based PET.

Possible opportunities for the new bioplastic film include both food and non-food packaging and many industrial applications. In food packaging, for example, pouches such as juice or soup pouches made with the new PLA film will be able to withstand the temperatures required for sterilization.

Innovia, a recognized leading player in the global film industry, is the right partner for Corbion Purac to develop this groundbreaking PLA film. By pooling our expertise and combining our research strengths, we can develop a biobased performance film to rival traditional, oil-based standards. This will provide brand owners with the opportunity to select a more sustainable alternative for their film applications," said Jeroen Jonker, Senior Vice President Bioplastics at Corbion Purac.