Dow Chemical (Midland, Michigan / USA; www.dow.com) has introduced the “Paraloid” BPM-515 range of acrylic impact modifiers, developed to impart toughness and maintain clarity in PLA. The company says the modifier allows production of lower cost toughened PLA compounds for manufacturers of sustainable industrial and consumer bioplastic packaging and durable products, particularly in the automotive, medical and electronics industries. BPM-515 is claimed to offer higher efficiency than BPM-500, which was introduced two years ago, and offers high impact performance at use levels down to 1%.

In addition to improved impact properties, PLA modified with Paraloid BPM-515 shows a marked increase in ductile behaviour in cutting and hole-punching operations, Dow said. It complies with European and US food packaging requirements and may be used up to 5% in food contact resins, and with all types of food at room temperature and below.