DuPont: New Renewably Sourced DuPont™ Biomax® Thermal Extends Use of PLA to Higher Temperature Packaging Applications

DuPont Packaging (www.dupont.com) announced the expansion of its DuPont™ Biomax® packaging offerings to include renewably sourced Biomax® Thermal 300, a proprietary heat-stabilizing modifier that allows polylactic acid (PLA) thermoformed packaging to withstand elevated temperatures during transport, storage and use. Its introduction extends the use of PLA, a bio-based alternative to petrochemical-derived products, to applications beyond chilled-storage packaging.

New Biomax® Thermal 300 is a U.S. Food and Drug Administration-compliant polymer modifier that increases the dimensional stability of PLA packaging materials to temperatures of up to 95°C when used at recommended levels (between 2 percent and 4 percent by weight) and in two-stage forming processes, far above temperatures that packages could be exposed to during storage and shipping. The addition of Biomax® Thermal 300 to PLA at low levels has also been demonstrated to have a minimal impact on the material’s clarity, as well as to accelerate cycle times during two-stage thermoforming. Biomax® Thermal 300 contains 50 percent renewably sourced content by weight.

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“Because it is bio-based, PLA has strong appeal in food packaging such as produce clamshells and deli trays, as well as selected industrial applications,” said Susan Homan, North American global marketing manager for sustainable materials -- DuPont Packaging. “However, due to its tendency to deform at temperatures of 55°C and above, its adoption to date has been largely restricted to the packaging of chilled food and beverages. By offering a modifier that raises the working temperature of PLA, DuPont hopes to enable a broader range of applications for the material.”
Biomax® Thermal is the second modifier for PLA to be introduced by DuPont. Biomax® Strong, toughening modifier launched in 2007, improves PLA by enhancing its processibility, durability, impact strength and flexibility in rigid structures, and acts as a process aid to improve extrusion productivity. Both of these modifiers hold the added benefit of being able to be added directly to the extrusion process (versus requiring masterbatching). The market introduction of Biomax® Thermal begins in the U.S., with rollout to Europe and Asia early in 2009.

“We are firmly committed to developing sustainable solutions, including solutions that improve the performance of other sustainable offerings in the market,” Homan said. “By improving the performance of bio-based and biodegradable products, Biomax® modifiers can help the packaging industry in achieving this mutually desirable goal.”

Now more than ever, consumers expect freshness, taste and convenience in packaged foods and beverages – and industry leaders such as DuPont continue to respond with innovations in materials and technology, including science-based solutions for improved sustainability. From renewably sourced materials such as Biomax® PTT resins and Biomax® TPS resins and sheets, to weight reducing DuPont™ Surlyn® resins, DuPont offers a wide line of high-performance polymers and additives to meet global packaging needs.

DuPont – one of the first companies to publicly establish environmental goals 18 years ago – has broadened its sustainability commitments beyond internal footprint reduction to include market-driven targets for both revenue and research and development investment. The goals are tied directly to business growth, specifically to the development of safer and environmentally improved new products for key global market.

DuPont de Nemours (Deutschland) GmbH, Bad Homburg v.d.H., Germany

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