New, Renewably-Sourced DuPont Biomax Thermal 300

Its introduction extends the use of PLA, a bio-based alternative to petrochemicalderived products, to applications beyond chilled-storage packaging.

20/09/08 DuPont Packaging has 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 petrochemicalderived 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 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.