The document discusses PLA food packaging innovations, specifically focusing on a case study of coffee capsules. It provides information on Corbion's activities in bioplastics including producing PLA polymer from lactic acid. PLA characteristics like its biodegradability, renewability, and favorable carbon footprint make it suitable for applications like coffee capsules that are currently made from petroleum-based plastics. The document discusses how PLA polymer properties can be optimized for different applications through use of L-lactic acid and D-lactic acid isomers.

1. European Bioplastics
Conference
5 November 2015
HUGO VUURENS
PLA FOOD PACKAGING
INNOVATIONS:
CASE STUDY COFFEE
CAPSULES

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• Drivers for using bioplastics
• Corbion activities in Bioplastics
• PLA polymer characteristics and stereo isomers
• Developing PLA solutions: e.g. coffee capsules
Introduction:
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1. Cost / Performance – Better and cheaper +
drop in replacement
2. Cheaper / Subsidized
3. Better
4. Idealism – the bio-premium
• Sustainable material – non petro based
• Compostable
• Reduced Carbon footprint
• Feedstock efficiency – Land use
5. Legislation
Drivers for Bioplastics
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Global footprint
5

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Lactic acid
and lactates
L- and D-lactide
PLA bioplastic
• Corbion PLA CO2 per kg of polymer could go to 0 if produced via gypsum-free production process
Innovations building on Corbion’s core capabilities
Polypropylene
PLA
LDPE
PET
Polystyrene
Polycarbonate

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Lactic acid
and lactates
L- and D-lactide
PLA bioplastic
Succinic acid
Innovations building on Corbion’s core capabilities

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Lactic acid
and lactates
L- and D-lactide
PLA bioplastic
Succinic acid
FDCA for PEF
Corbion’s BioFDCA Technology has the potential to (partially)
replace terephthalic acid used in PET, meeting unmet needs in
polymer applications:
• Enhanced gas barrier properties
• Mechanical properties
• Favorable carbon footprint/LCA
• 100% Biobased
Innovations building on Corbion’s core capabilities

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Lactic acid
and lactates
L- and D-lactide
PLA bioplastic
Succinic acid
FDCA for PEF
Corbion Biorefinery:
From Lactic Acid to Biobased Building Blocks

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 75.000 ton PLA in 2018
 Continue to supply Lactide to Partners
 Currently in pre-marketing phase
 Selling and sampling PLA
PLA innovation at Corbion Purac
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Definition of bioplastics
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Bio-
degradable
Bio-based
Oil-based
Non-Bio
degradable
Conventional
Plastics
PE, PP, PS,
PET, ABS
Bioplastics
Bio-PET,
Bio-PE
PEF
Bioplastics
PBAT
Bioplastics
Starch blends
PLA
PBS

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Biobased/durable production capacities & markets
• 6 x growth driven by PET bottles
• PET30 = 30% biobased
• Growth of emerging drop-ins in
2019, such as PEF.
• 75% of markets: rigid packaging
and textiles.
BP_Grafik-02

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Biodegradable production capacities & markets 2014
• 100% growth driven by PLA &
biodegradable polyesters (i.e., PBAT,
PBS)
• PHA growth promising
• Flexible & rigid packaging +
agriculture & horticulture >75%
• Functional benefits drive steady
growth in maturing markets

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1. 100% biobased
2. Biodegradable -durable - recyclable
3. a versatile plastic - Injection molding, Fiber, Film, Blow molding, TF
4. Excellent breathing properties
5. a stiff and rigid polyester, much like PET – also replacing PS
6. A Tg of 55 C – unless crystallized
7. Feed stock efficient - < 1,5 kg of sugar for 1 kg of PLA (BioPE 4 kg)
8. Low Carbon footprint
9. Available - in large volume!
10. Development Potential by use of the isomers of Lactic Acid: L and D
About PLA: PLA is/has…
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PLA Homo-polymers: driving performance
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D-Lactic Acid L-Lactic Acid
PLA
copolymer
stereo
complex
PLA
PLA homo-
polymers
PLA co-
polymers
PLLA
PDLA
Stereo complex
interlocking
structure:
TM = 230°C
Homo-polymer
chains crystalize
fast and provide
good heat stability
TM = 180°C
Irregular chains do
not crystalize well
and have a reduced
heat resistance
No TM
Tg = 55°C

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Crystallization 5% PDLA at 140 °C
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Pure PLLA
Melt at 285<T<355°F
PLLA with 5% PDLA
Polarization optical microscopy, magnification 100x

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PDLA Resin - driving performance
PDLA is used to improve PLA
and PLLA/PLA properties
Benefits:
• High stereo chemical purity
• Food contact approved
• Using GMO-free biomass
• Biobased
• Biodegradable
PS
PVC
ABS
PC
PET
HDPE
LDPE
PP
PLLA
PLA
PLLA
nucleated
with PDLA
Increasing
heat
performance
stereo
complex
PLLA/PDLA
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Our PLA neat resins are compliant with:
• Approved for EU food contact applications
(EC No. 1935/2004 and No. 10/2011)
• EN 13432 standard for industrial
composting (OK Compost and Seedling
certified)
• Biobased content of 100%
• REACH compliant
• Exclusively made from non-GMO
feedstocks
• Reduced carbon footprint (3rd party LCA
study available)
Corbion PLA portfolio
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96% L >99% L >99% D
Optical
purity
Product description
• PLA L105 – High flow for Injection molding
• PLA L130 – Medium flow for injection molding or fiber spinning
• PLA L175 – Low flow for film extrusion, thermoforming or fiber spinning
• PLA LX175 – Low flow, amorphous, transparent for film extrusion,
thermoforming or fiber spinning
• PLA D070 – High flow nucleating agent for PLA homopolymer resins

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Functionalities
• Bio-based (image)
• Bio-degradable
• Reduced CO2 footprint
• EU legislation to support bio
shopping bags
• PLA can be processed on existing
PS/PET production lines
Standard PLA to substitute PS, PE and PET
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Markets & Applications
Dairy packaging
E-PLA Foam Packaging
Clam shells
PLA mulch film
Shopping bags
CateringFibres

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High heat PLA to substitute ABS, PP, PVC and engineering plastics
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Markets & ApplicationsFunctionalities
• Bio-based – image
• Reduced CO2 footprint
• Eco-labels in consumer
electronics
• Bio-degradable – under the right
conditions
• High heat resistance (140°C)
• High impact strength
• Good scratch resistance
• High gloss
Consumer electronics
Coffee capsules
Auto Interior
trim
Oil/gas well fracking 3D printing
Bank cards

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Benefits :
• 100 % biobased
• Acceptable cycle time
• Thermal resistance during brewing
• Compostable
• Including barrier – no wrapper
Injection molded PLA for disposables
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22. No representation or warranty is made as to the truth or accuracy of any data, information or opinions contained herein or as to their suitability for any purpose,
condition or application. None of the data, information or opinions herein may be relied upon for any purpose or reason. Purac disclaims any liability, damages, losses or
other consequences suffered or incurred in connection with the use of the data, information or opinions contained herein. In addition, nothing contained herein shall be
taken as an inducement or recommendation to manufacture or use any of the described materials or processes in violation of existing or future patent of Purac or any
party.