Germany’s Grafe Group (Blankenhain; www.grafe.com) says its new “Biocolen” masterbatch for PLA allows improved performance of PLA-based packaging and provides new application options for manufacturers of consumer goods. The batch improves the temperature stability of PLA packaging that has to be stored cool and then reheated – an essential attribute for microwave meal packaging, for example.

Grafe says the masterbatch improves the durability of the material, achieving a higher flexibility and reducing the brittleness in the end product without impairing transparency. The packaging product is also very easy to process and cut, it adds.