A new extrusion line to produce polylactic acid (PLA) foam has been introduced by Canadian film and sheet extrusion machinery supplier, Macro Engineering & Technology Inc.
Using tandem extruders, the foamed PLA sheet produced by the new line would be between 1.2 and 5.0 mm thick and up to 1,270 mm wide. It will have a foam density of 0.07 g/cc (16x expansion ratio).
These PLA sheets will have the ability to be thermoformed into compostable clamshell packaging and trays used for cold food applications.
Foaming PLA usually has low melt strength, melt crystallinity and narrow processing window.
With a proprietary new extruder design incorporated by Macro, uniform melt temperature distribution can be maintained, producing reliable foaming.
Macro is also expanding the application range of foamed PLA through the new extrusion line, with recent trials at its R&D lab demonstrating potential for hot-fill applications using thermoformed PLA foam as an alternative to polystyrene packaging.
Macro would also display its foam extrusion technologies at NPE 2015 in Hall D of the West Building at Booth W5845.
Image: Macro's new PLA extrusion line. Photo courtsey of Macro.
