How Is PLA Used in Food Packaging?

PLA stands for Biopolymer - Polylactic Acid. PLA materials are typically made from fermented cornstarch, sugarcane starch, or sugar beets, which are then used to make this type of bio-based plastic. PLA plastics have similar properties to traditional petroleum plastics (PS, PP and PET), but they are more environmentally friendly. For example, the production of PLA uses less energy and produces 75% less greenhouse gases than the production of conventional plastics.

PLA products are heat-sensitive and therefore only suitable for cold products. PLA products can be used with cold cuts and beverages up to 40˚C. Our CPLA products have higher heat resistance. Our PLA products are biodegradable and compostable according to the EN-13432 composting standard. In industrial composting facilities, PLA will be fully composted within 8-12 weeks. Additionally, PLA is non-toxic and made from renewable resources.

We use PLA to make clear cold drink cups, deli containers and flip-top salad boxes. PLA can also be used as a coating for coffee cups and food containers.

CPLA is crystalline polylactic acid and is a combination of PLA (70-80%), chalk (20-30%), and other biodegradable additives. Through the crystallization of PLA, our CPLA products can withstand high temperatures up to 85°C without deformation. Once crystallized, the CPLA color is no longer transparent, but white. For our black CPLA cutlery and coffee cup lids, add charcoal to create a black color. This does not conflict with the overall composting properties of CPLA.

Since CPLA is derived from PLA, it is biodegradable and compostable according to the EN-13432 standard. At the end of life, PLA products can be recycled or composted in industrial composting facilities.