5. Application examples
There are countless applications for PLA-based plastics; this section will focus on the most common applications for unblended and non-additivated PLA.
5.1 Food products
Today, PLAs are mainly used for food applications.
Food packaging: thermoformed trays, foamed or not, plastic films and bottles. Some of this packaging is used in supermarkets and some in fast-food outlets, mainly for foods with short shelf lives. PLA's low water barrier limits its use as shelf-stable packaging. PLA can also be used as an intermediate layer in multilayer products, or in blends with other polymers.
For example, the Danone group now uses PLA for the production of yoghurt pots, notably in France...
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Application examples
PLA degradation
Bibliography
- (1) - New BOPLA films. - Bioplastics Magazine (2023).
- (2) - E. B. &. N. Institute. - http://www.european-bioplastics.org (2016).
- ...
Website
Bioplastics magazine – Reference magazine for biopolymers
Events
Biannual conference organized by Natureworks – Innovation takes root.
http://www.innovationtakesroot.com
Biannual conference – PLA World Congress.
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...Standards and norms
- Evaluation of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastic materials under controlled composting conditions – Method by analysis of released carbon dioxide. - ISO 14855 -
- Packaging – Requirements for packaging recoverable by composting and biodegradation – Test program and assessment criteria for final acceptance of packaging. - EN 13432 -
- Plastics – Specifications for plastics suitable for home composting....
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