NatureWorks (Minnetonka, Minnesota / USA; www.natureworksllc.com) has introduced a new formulation of its “Ingeo” PLA bioresin targeted primarily at injection moulding of semi-durable consumer products. The company said the product, branded Ingeo 3801X, combines a high percentage PLA base resin with a tailored additive package designed to achieve the high heat, impact and cycle time performance requirements of semi-durable products such as cosmetics, consumer electronics, toys and office accessories.

The compounded resin technology enables the production of injection moulded parts with thermal dimensional stability of up to 120 °C, notched Izod impact strength greater than two foot-pounds per inch and modulus of approximately 450,000 psi, NatureWorks said. The injection moulding cycle time compares to that of styrenic resins, it added.