Paper focuses on the benefits of using a melt strength enhancer in foam PLA.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Peggy Sharp
Phone: 215-419-5257
Philadelphia - March 08, 2010

Arkema Inc.’s Sustainability Additives Group will co-present a paper during the Global Plastic Environmental Conference (GPEC) in Orlando, Florida from March 8 – 10, 2010. 

The paper, titled “Foaming Of PLA – The Use Of Melt Strength Enhancers To Achieve Lower Density Foams Produced By Chemical Blowing Agents” will be presented by Elizabeth Grimes, Sr. Technical Service Engineer, from Arkema Inc. and Sandra Keeley, Vice President from AFI Global, Inc. on Tuesday, March 9th at 3:00pm.

Foaming PLA is particularly challenging due to its poor melt strength.  The addition of low percentages of an acrylic melt strength enhancer increases the extensional viscosity of the PLA, allowing the gases generated by the chemical blowing agents to form a more uniform foam structure.  Chemical blowing agents were chosen as an option to enable the use of existing equipment.  This paper focuses on the optimum levels of melt strength enhancers in conjunction with various chemical blowing agents to achieve a low density foam with fine cell structure.

"This is a perfect example of Arkema’s mission to help our customers become more sustainable by increasing the use of PLA.  The development of this technology allows them to expand the market penetration of a key biopolymer by improving its properties," said Peg Sharp, Business Director, Packaging & Healthcare, of Arkema’s Sustainability Additives Group.  “While PLA is a wonderful biopolymer, its properties need improvement in order to help it expand into more demanding areas.  Arkema’s Biostrength® line of biopolymer additives, specifically developed with our customers’ needs in mind, help to do just that.  We are especially proud of our scientists’ thought leadership in the development of this patented technology.”

Arkema’s Sustainability Additives Group offers a wide range of products to the Plastics industry including Biostrength® impact modifiers, Vikoflex® epoxidized soybean oils and various organic peroxides.  To learn more about our products, contact Peggy Sharp at (215) 419-5257 or Peggy.Sharp@arkema.com, or visit our website at www.additives-arkema.com.