Compostable resins debut as packaging film
Canadian Plastics
NatureWorks polylactide (PLA), the novel polymer made entirely from annually renewable resources such as corn and wheat, is now being used in its first full-scale, mass market packaging film applicat...
NatureWorks polylactide (PLA), the novel polymer made entirely from annually renewable resources such as corn and wheat, is now being used in its first full-scale, mass market packaging film application.
Cargill Dow’s new polymer is being used as the exterior packaging film on Dunlop’s golf ball sleeves in the Japanese market. Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. has developed and is marketing golf ball packages laminated with an environmentally friendly biodegradable film manufactured by Mitsubishi Plastics.
“This is a significant milestone for the packaging industry as it is the first time that a cost-competitive, 100-percent annually renewable resource-based polymer is being used in a wide-scale consumer application,” said Jim Hobbs, business unit leader — packaging for Cargill Dow.
NatureWorks PLA is being used as the packaging film due to the high performance properties of the polymer, which are equivalent, or better than, competitive hydrocarbon-based products, reports Cargill Dow. Some of these key characteristics that led Sumitomo to select the new polymer for the Dunlop golf ball packaging include high clarity, high gloss, UV stability and dead-fold properties.
In addition, NatureWorks PLA has the added benefit of being fully degradable in municipal compost situations.
Cargill Dow 952-742-0400
