Business

DuPont has expanded its sustainably sourced Biomax packaging offering to include Thermal 300, a heat-stabilising modifier, which allows polylactic acid (PLA) to be thermoformed to withstand elevated temperatures.

Biomax Thermal 300 extends the use of PLA, a bio-based alternative to petrochemical-derived products, to applications beyond chilled foods and beverages.

Carolann Haznedar, global business director of DuPont Packaging, said: "High performance is critical to the successful adoption of bio-based products. By offering Biomax Thermal 300 for PLA, DuPont is helping to deliver performance plus supporting extension of sustainable packaging applications."

Biomax Thermal is the second modifier for PLA to be introduced by DuPont.

Its Biomax Strong toughening modifier, launched in 2007, improves PLA by enhancing its processibility, durability, impact strength and flexibility.

The market introduction of Biomax Thermal begins in the US, with rollout to Europe and Asia Pacific early in 2009.

DuPont offers a wide range of solutions to meet demand for sustainable packaging including renewably sourced materials such as PTT and TPS resins, weight-reducing Surlyn resins and solvent-free Cyrel FAST flexographic printing plates.

The company operates in more than 70 countries.