Technology developed by custom compounder Teknor Apex (Pawtucket, Rhode Island / USA; www.teknorapex.com) is claimed to make polylactic acid (PLA) an effective “green” alternative to PS and PP in high-heat thermoformed sheet for microwavable frozen food trays, lids for hot beverage cups, and carry-out food containers. “Terraloy” BP-39070 enhanced-PLA compounds for extrusion and thermoforming have a bio-based content level of around 90% and are biodegradable, making them an alternative to petrochemical-based resins in applications where sustainability and compostability are important.

The materials meet the FDA requirement for food-contact applications. The compounds are based on developments by Teknor Apex that have overcome an inverse relationship in standard PLA between heat distortion temperature (HDT) and impact strength. The new products are claimed to exhibit up to double the HDT and more than four times the Izod impact strength of standard PLA resins.