Chapter 6
Polylactic Acid (PLA) Foams for Packaging Applications
Kate Parker,
Jean-Philippe Garancher,
Samir Shah,
Stephanie Weal,
Alan Fernyhough,
Kate Parker
Biopolymer Network Limited/Scion, Rotorua, New Zealand
Search for more papers by this authorJean-Philippe Garancher
Biopolymer Network Limited/Scion, Rotorua, New Zealand
Search for more papers by this authorSamir Shah
Biopolymer Network Limited/Scion, Rotorua, New Zealand
Search for more papers by this authorStephanie Weal
Biopolymer Network Limited/Scion, Rotorua, New Zealand
Search for more papers by this authorAlan Fernyhough
Biopolymer Network Limited/Scion, Rotorua, New Zealand
Search for more papers by this authorKate Parker,
Jean-Philippe Garancher,
Samir Shah,
Stephanie Weal,
Alan Fernyhough,
Kate Parker
Biopolymer Network Limited/Scion, Rotorua, New Zealand
Search for more papers by this authorJean-Philippe Garancher
Biopolymer Network Limited/Scion, Rotorua, New Zealand
Search for more papers by this authorSamir Shah
Biopolymer Network Limited/Scion, Rotorua, New Zealand
Search for more papers by this authorStephanie Weal
Biopolymer Network Limited/Scion, Rotorua, New Zealand
Search for more papers by this authorAlan Fernyhough
Biopolymer Network Limited/Scion, Rotorua, New Zealand
Search for more papers by this authorBook Editor(s):Srikanth Pilla,
Srikanth Pilla
Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI, USA
Search for more papers by this authorSummary
This chapter contains sections titled:
-
Introduction
-
Polylactic Acid (PLA) Foam Overview
-
Foam Properties
-
Conclusions
References
- The Compelling Facts about Plastics 2009. Available from: http://www.plasticseurope.org/plastics-industry/market-data.aspx.
- An Introduction to the History of Plastics: Plastic Packaging Products, Packaging Today Available from: <http://www.packagingtoday.com/introplasticproducts.htm>.
- Goldberry, C. Market Snapshot: Packaging, Plastics Today, May 5th, 2010 Available from: <http://www.plasticstoday.com/imm/articles/market-snapshot-packaging-0510>.
- Biopolymers in Packaging: 2010 to 2014, Allied Development™ Global Markets, Environmental Impact, and Technologies. Available from: <http://www.allied-dev.com/Studies2/Biopolymers09Brochure.pdf>.
- Garlotta, D., A Literature Review of Poly(Lactic Acid), Journal of Polymers and the Environment, 2001, Vol. 9 (2): p. 63–84.
- Verespej, M., Sustainability Issue Again Driving Growth for PLA Maker. Natureworks, Plastics News, June 17 2010; Available from: <http://plasticsnews.com/headlines2.html?id=18905>.
- Queiroz, A.U.B. and F.P. Collares-Queiroz, Innovation and Industrial Trends in Bioplastics, Polym. Rev., 2009, Vol. 49 (2): p. 65–78.
- Clydesdale, P. in 3rd Bioplastics Market Conference, 2009.
- Plastic Engineering Associates Licensing Inc., Available from: http://www.turboscrews.com.
- Villalobos, M., et al., Oligomeric Chain Extenders for Economic Reprocessing and Recycling of Condensation Plastics, J. Energy, 2006, Vol. 31 (15): p. 3227–3234.
- Inata, H. and S. Matsumura, Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 1987, Vol. 33 (8): p. 3069–3079.
- Di, Y., et al., Reactively Modified Poly(Lactic Acid): Properties and Foam Processing, Macromolecular Materials and Engineering, 2005, Vol. 290 (11): p. 1083–1090.
- Pilla, S., et al., Microcellular Extrusion-Foaming of Polylactide with Chain-Extender, Pol. Eng. Sci., 2009, Vol. 49 (8): p. 1653–1660.
- Mihai, M., M.A. Huneault, and B.D. Favis, Rheology and Extrusion Foaming of Chain-Branched Poly(Lactic Acid), Polym. Eng. Set, 2010, Vol. 50 (3): p. 629–642.
- Ema, Y., M. Ikeya, and M. Okamoto, Foam Processing and Cellular Structure of Polylactide-Based Nanocomposites, Polymer, 2006, Vol. 47: p. 5350–5359.
- Di, Y, et al., Poly(lactic acid)/Organoclay Nanocomposites: Thermal, Rheological Properties and Foam Processing. J. Polym. Sci. Part B: Polym. Phys., 2005, Vol. 43: p. 689–698.
- Kawada, T., A. Iwamoto, and K. Takase, Foamed Sheet Of Polylactic Acid Resin, Foam Molding of Polylactic Acid Resin and Method of Preparing Foam Molding, 2010 JSP Corporation: US Patent application 20100086758.
- Reignier, J., R. Gendron, and M.F. Champagne, Cell. Polym., 2007, Vol. 26: p. 83.
- Matuan, L.M., O. Faruk, and C.A. Diaz, Cell Morphology of Extrusion Foamed Poly (Lactic Acid) Using Endothermic Chemical Foaming Agent, Biores. Tech, 2009, Vol. 100 (23): p. 5947–5954.
- Preechawong, D., et al., Carbohydrate Polymers, 2005, Vol. 59 (3): p. 329–337.
- Mihai, M., et al., Macromol. Biosci., 2007. Vol. 7: p. 907–920.
- Richards, E., et al., J. Pol. Environ., 2008, Vol. 16 (4): p. 258–266.
- Ajioka, M., et al., Degradable foam and use of same, 1995: US Patent 5,447,962.
- Oka, Y, T. Yoshioka, and M. Ohyama, Polylactic Acid Foam, 2010: US Patent application number 20100120932.
- Coopbox. Available from: http://www.coopbox.it/portal/page?_pageid=436,1544342&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL.
- Cryovac® NatureTRAY™ Foam Tray. Available from: http://www.sealedair.com/products/food/trays/nature_tray.html.
- Dyneapak, Available from: http://www.dyneapak.com.
- Mills, N., Bead Foam Microstructure and Processing, in Polymer Foams Handbook, 2007, Butterworth-Heinemann: Oxford, p. 69–83.
- Shinohara, M., T. Tokiwa, and H. Sasaki, Expanded polylactic acid resin beads and foamed molding obtained therefrom, in European patent office, 2002, JSP Corporation: Japan.
- Haraguchi, K. and H. Ohta, Expandable polylactic acid resin particles, 2005: European Patent application EP 1 683 828 A2.
- Witt, M.R.J. and S. Shah, Methods of manufacture of polylactic acid foams, 2007: WO 2008/093284 A1.
- Garancher, J.R., Parker, K., Shah, S., Weal, S., Fernyhough, A. Expanded Polylactide (E-PLA): A Realistic Alternative to Expanded Polystrene (EPS). Available SP Conference Proceedings, Biofoams 2010, Seattle, Washington USA. September 28-October 1, 2010. Pub: Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE). Newtown, CT 06470 USA. www.4spe.org.
- Noordegraaf, J., et al., Particulate expandable polylactic acid, a method for producing the same, a foamed moulded product based on particulate expandable polylactic acid, as well as a method for producing the same, 2007: WO 2008/130226 A2.
- Noordegraaf, J., P. Matthijssen, and J de Jong, BioFoam®: PLA Particle Foam Expanding in Europe, in 2nd International Biofoams Conference, 2009, Niagara Falls, Canada.
- Anonymous, Expanded PLA as a Particle Foam, Bioplastics, 2009, Vol. 4 (01): p. 22–23.
- Hirai, T., K. Nishijama, and T. Ochiai, Polylactic acid resin foam particle for in-mold foam forming, process for producing the same, and process for producing polylactic acid resin foam molding, 2008, Sekisui Plastics Co Ltd., Japan: European Patent Office EP 2 135 724 A1.
- Thielen, M., Heat-resistant PLA Bead Foam, Bioplastics, 2010, Vol. 5 (1): p. 29.
- Keisuke, O., Method for producing polylactic acid-based foam-molded article 2007, Kaneka Corporation: Japanese Patent application JP20070051293 20070301.
- Keisuke, O., Method for producing polylactic acid-based foam-molded article Kaneka Corporation Japanese Patent application JP20070051294 20070301 2007.
- Keisuke, O., F. Tomonori, and Y. Yoshitito, Method for producing polylactic acid foamed molding, 2007, Kaneka Corporation: Japanese Patent application JP20070080700 20070327.
- Kaneka, Available from: http://www.kaneka.co.jp.
- MicroGREEN Polymer Inc. Ad-air® Technology: A mechnical expansion resulting in source reduction, 2010; Available from: www.microgreeninc.com.
- Branch, G., Deep Drawn Microcellularly Foamed Polymeric Containers Made via Solid-State Gas Impregnation Thermoforming, 2010, MicroGREEN Polymers, Inc: United States.
- Branch, G. and T. Wardle, Method of Producing Thermoformed Articles from Gas Impregnated Polymer, 2005, MicroGREEN Polymers, Inc: United States.
- Nadella, K., Foamed Cellular Panels and Related Methods, 2009, MicroGREEN Polymers, Inc: United States.
- Powers, S., Apparatus and Method for Interleaving Polymeric Roll for Gas Impregnation and Solid-State Foam Processing, 2009, MicroGREEN Polymer, Inc: United States.
- Mills, N., Product Packaging Case Study, in Polymer Foams Handbook, 2007, Butterworth-Heinemann: Oxford, p. 281–306.
- Arora, K.A., A.J. Lesser, and T.J. McCarthy, Compressive Behavior of Microcellular Polystyrene Foams Processed in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide, Polymer Engineering & Science, 1998, Vol. 38 (12): p. 2055–2062.
- Järvelä, P., et al., A Method to Measure the Fusion Strength Between Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Beads, Journal of Materials Science, 1986, Vol. 21 (9): p. 3139–3142.
- Parker, K., et al., Expanded Polylactic Acid - an Eco-Friendly Alternative to Polystyrene Foam, in 2nd International Biofoams Conference, 2009: Niagara Falls, Canada.
- Noordegraaf, J., et al., BioFoam®: PLA Particle Foam Expanding in Europe, in 2nd International Biofoams Conference, 2009, Niagara Falls, Canada.
- Moosa, A.S.I. and N.J. Mills, Analysis of Bend Tests on Polystyrene Bead Foams, Polymer Testing, 1998, Vol. 17 (5): p. 357–378.
- Stupak, P.R., W.O. Frye, and J. A. Donovan, The Effect of Bead Fusion on the Energy Absorption of Polystyrene Foam, Part I: Fracture Toughness, Journal of Cellular Plastics, 1991, Vol. 27 (5): p. 484–505.
- Mills, N.J. and P. Kang, The Effect of Water Immersion on the Mechanical Properties of Polystyrene Bead Foam Used in Soft Shell Cycle Helmets, Journal of Cellular Plastics, 1994, Vol. 30 (3): p. 196–222.
- ASTM D648-07 Standard Test Method for Deflection Temperature of Plastics Under Flexural Load in the Edgewise Position, 2007.
- Schut, J.H., PLA Biopolymers: New Copolymers, Expandable Beads, Engineering Alloys & More, Plastics Technology, Plastics Technology, 2008.
- Li, H. and M.A. Huneault, Effect of Nucleation and Plasticization on the Crystallization of Poly(Lactic Acid), Polymer, 2007, Vol. 48 (23): p. 6855–6866.
- Lim, L.T., R. Auras, and M. Rubino, “Processing Technologies for Poly(Lactic Acid),” Progress in Polymer Science, 2008, 33 (8): p. 820–852.
- Michael, T.T., Towards an Understanding of the Heat Distortion Temperature of Thermoplastics, Polymer Engineering & Science, 1979: p. 1104–1109
- Blends of PLA being developed to improve viability of PLA. Article from plastemart.com (2010): http://www.plastemart.com/Plastic-Technicle-Article.asp?LiteratureID=1359.
- Expanded PLA as a Particle Foam. Article in Bioplastics, 2009, Vol. 4 (01): p. 22–23. Ed: Michael Thielen. Polymedia Pub Gmbh., Monchengladbach, Germany.
- Polylactic Acid Foam (Environmental Issues), Article in: High Performance Plastics, International Newsletters, 2005.
- Unitika Technology Improves Polylactic Acid Foam Properties (Plastics). Article in: New Materials Japan, March 1, 2005.
- Unitika Ltd. 2010; Available from: http://www.unitika.co.Jp/terramac/e/.
- Thielen, M., “Heat-Resistant PLA Bead Foam,” Bioplastics, 2010, 05 (01): p. 29.
- Sekisui Plastics Co Ltd., Success in Developing the Foamed Plastics by Beads Method-Employed Plant-Derived Resin, with a Dimensional Stability Under 150°C, Press release, 2007.
- Schut, J.H., Foamed PLA Shows Promise in Biodegradable Meat Trays, Plastics Technology, 2007.
- Cereplast Inc., Cereplast Compostables®, Compostable 5001, Extrusion Foam Sheet Grade, Property Guide. 2010; Available from: http://www.cereplast.com/cmspage.php?pgid=90.
- Auras, R., B. Harte, and S. Selke, An Overview of Polylactides as Packaging Materials. Macromolecular Bioscience, 2004. Vol. 4: p. 835–864.
