LapolŪ bioplasticizer resin is a cost effective plasticizer for polylactic acid (PLA) and other polymers. LapolŪ is predominantly plant derived, is compostable, has good clarity, imparts high elongation and compatibilizes starches and other polymers without sacrificing modulus.
Is LapolŪ resin cost effective?
Yes, not only does LapolŪ costs less than other plasticizers used in PLA and PHB on a pound for pound basis, but it is also has been shown to have greater elongation at 1/2 to 1/4 of the concentration levels without the extra burden of adding costly compatibilizers, thus the pound for pound elongation costs are significantly lower than petroleum based aliphatic/aromatic copolyesters.
Is LapolŪ resin compostable?
Yes, studies have shown LapolŪ resin to be compostable in about 35 days under ASTM D6400, EN 13432 & ISO 17088 conditions.
How much elongation can I expect with LapolŪ resin?
With as little as 5%-10% loading greater than 100% elongation can be achieved in PLA without sacrificing modulus. Typically, petroleum-based aromatic/aliphatic copolyesters cause a significant decrease in modulus (stiffness) when added at levels required to impart beneficial elongation (15-20%), this does not occur with Lapol; elongation is achieved and modulus is maintained.
Does using LapolŪ resin increase haze in a PLA sheet?
LapolŪ resin has minimal haze when added to PLA.
Is LapolŪ resin compatible with PLA?
Yes, LapolŪ resin was specifically designed with like polymer chemistry for PLA; Lapol bioplasticizer is fully miscible with PLA up to 20% and does not require any additional compatibilizers to effectively blend with PLA. When compounding PLA with LapolŪ there is no die swell out of the compounder, a common trait of petroleum based plasticizers.
Is LapolŪ resin compatible with polyhyroxyalkoanates (PHA)?
Yes, Lapol resin is compatible with PHA and does not require additional compatibilizers.
Is LapolŪ resin made from renewable resources?
Yes, LapolŪ resin is made from predominantly renewable resources.
How is LapolŪ resin added to the compounder?
LapolŪ
resin is supplied in 5-gallon pails and 55-gallon drums as a solid resin or as a
masterbatch concentrate in PLA. The least expensive way to add Lapol is to run a
standard drum melt pump and accurately meter the resin into the
compounder. LapolŪ can assist in specifying and acquiring a melt pump
for accurate feeding of the resin in to the compounder. LapolŪ
concentrate is supplied in pellet form and can be charged into standard
compounder feeding systems.
Does LapolŪ resin need to be dried?
When LapolŪ viscous resin is supplied through a drum melter to the compounder it does not need to be dried, nevertheless the container should be sealed shut and protected from high humidity and moisture. However, when LapolŪ resin is supplied as a concentrate with PLA as its base polymer, the PLA base polymer dictates that it must be dried to less than 700 PPM to maintain properties.
Is LapolŪ resin FDA compliant?
LapolŪ resin meets the US Food and Drug Administrations regulations for
food contact safety 21 CFR 175.300, additional regulations are under
going regulatory approvals for a broader range of compliance.
How much LapolŪ resin should I add to my PLA resin?
Depending upon the degree of elongation desired the loading is typically between 5%-10% for a >100% elongation.
Does LapolŪ increase the heat deflection temperature of PLA?
There are two grades of LapolŪ, Lapol 108 and Lapol HDT. Lapol 108 is used for increasing elongation in PLA, Lapol HDT grade is used for increasing the heat deflection temperature of PLA by up to 50° C. Lapol HDT is beginning pilot production and will be commercialized soon. If you are interested in the Lapol HDT grade, please ask to be put on our notification list at info@lapol.net.
