A solution for manufacturing efficiency and faster biodegradability of BOPLA films

Ingeo Extend 4950D can bring better manufacturing efficiency and faster biodegradability to a wide variety of applications such as coffee capsules, candy wrappers, single-portion packets, and more

A well-reputed biomaterials manufacturer, NatureWorks, has expanded the capabilities of its product line of Ingeo™ biopolymers with the introduction of the Ingeo Extend platform. The new platform is designed to enable faster rates of biodegradation and disintegration, and achieve new levels of productivity that enable the commercial-scale use of biobased Ingeo PLA.

The new grades within the Ingeo Extend platform are designed for faster compostability, up to 8x faster, than other existing PLA grades. They can also be blended with other existing Ingeo PLA grades to enhance their comparative biodegradation and disintegration rates.

Ingeo Extend 4950D – the first grade in this platform, is a new PLA polymer by NatureWorks that increases the production efficiency of BOPLA films and lowers their production costs. It also allows for a stretch ratio of up to 7x in the transverse direction (TD) and can be used as an adjunct with other Ingeo PLA grades to more economically produce films on production equipment normally suited for the manufacturing of BOPP.

Oriented film producers and Brand Owners alike can utilize Ingeo Extend 4950D to reduce BOPLA production costs. In addition, biaxial films made with Ingeo Extend 4950D break down at a faster rate relative to unmodified Ingeo PLA, depending on the amount incorporated in the PLA blend. Sealing performance is also improved, especially in coextruded film structures where Ingeo Extend 4950D is added in the sealing layers up to 15%. According to company, new BOPLA films made with Ingeo Extend 4950D have high heat resistance up to 130 - 140C, excellent clarity, and good mechanical properties, including low shrinkage.​

By replacing a fossil-based plastic, Ingeo reduces the carbon footprint of packaging, on average, by 73%. Additionally, food scraps degrading in landfills are the third largest source of methane emissions in the world. Diverting food residue to composting operations reduces these emissions and creates a valuable soil amendment that achieves healthy soils with good soil structure, enabling the sequestration of carbon dioxide.