Improvements in PLA based bioplastic aid in thin wall applications, lighter product weight, reduced cost

13-Jun-11

Developments have lead to application of PLA based bioplastic in thin wall applications, which will enable lighter weight product and lead to a reduced costs. SR Corporation has announced that significant improvements in key properties and characteristics have been achieved for its polylactic acid-based bioplastic, "BIOLLOY". The newly-developed "BIOLLOY" has improved compatibility with a petroleum-based plastic produced by a combination of JSR's own technologies and polylactic acid, leading to significant improvement in post-molding appearance, shock resistance and formability performance. "BIOLLOY" has five times the shock resistance and greatly improved strength when compared to existing bioplastics. This eliminates the "brittleness" that was considered a weakness of conventional bioplastics. These improvements are expected to reduce the amount of resin needed allowing for lighter-weight moldings and a reduced costs. Depending on the application, the combination ratio of polylactic acid can be modified between 5~80% allowing users to achieve a flowability suitable to their processing method, such as injection molding, which is suited for molding complex shapes, blow molding, extrusion and film. JSR has begun sales of "BIOLLOY" which contain alloys of ABS plastics, and polyolefin-based plastics such as polypropylene and polyethylene. Subsequent developments leading to sales of thermoplastic are expected. Manufacturing and coloring will be conducted within the JSR Group to insure the consistent supply of high-quality products.