Characteristics
AffordabilityLapol® 108 resin is less expensive than other plasticizers used for increasing the toughness, flexibility and processabilty of polylactic acid (PLA) and other polymers. Since Lapol® 108 is miscible with PLA, no additional costly compatiblizing additives are needed when using Lapol® 108, thereby reducing the overall cost of elongation.
Renewability & SustainabilityLapol® 108 bioplasticizer resin is predominantly plant derived.
Biodegradability & CompostabilityLapol® 108 bioplasticizer resin is compostable and is biodegradable under composting conditions in about 35 days based on the ASTM D6400, EN 13432 & ISO 17088 standards.
Flexibility & ToughnessLapol® 108 bioplasticizer resin increases flexibilty and toughness without sacrificing modulus. When Lapol® 108 is added at 5%-10% loading in PLA and extruded sheet can be folded over without cracking or the brittleness typical of neat PLA .
ClarityLapol® 108 bioplasticizer resin is miscible with PLA and only minimally affects the clarity of PLA. Haze does develop with higher concentrations, but one can still see through the plastic. Many applications will need about 5%-10% concentration of Lapol® 108 and therefore, only a little haze should be expected.
CompatibilityLapol® 108 bioplasticizer is compatible and miscible with PLA up to 20%. Unlike compounding with 100% petroleum-based aliphatic/aromatic copolyesters (AAC), there is no need to add additional costly compatibilizers or processing aids for improved compatibilization. Since PLA and Lapol® are "like polymers" they are very compatible in compounding so there is no die swell out of the compounder, a common phenomenon with petroleum based plasticizers.
Download Compatibility SEM MicrographAvailabilityLapol® 108 resin is made in America in top production facilities with no limitation on production capacity.
"Heat-ability" LAPOL® HDT - NOW AVAILABLE
The new Lapol® HDT additive for increasing the heat deflection temperature of PLA is now in pilot production and is available in granule form in evaluation quantitites. For interested parties, please email us at info@lapol.net.
Click here to read the article in the September 2010 Edition of Agricultural Magazine, Helping Earth-Friendly, Corn-Based Plastics Take the Heat.
