Why is PLA & CPLA good for food and drink packaging?

In light of the upcoming ban on the supply of single-use plastics in England, which will come into effect in October , what are the benefits of PLA & CPLA bioplastics in food and drinks to go packaging for catering supplies?

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The whole concept evolves around the need to offer environmentally friendly and sustainable food and drink packaging options for takeaways and catering supplies, whilst fulfilling customer demands in terms of product&#;s requirements and characteristics.

Benefits of CPLA and CPLA products

For instance, there are practical considerations to be taken into account when it comes to food and drinks to go, such as:

• Leakproof
• Greaseproof
• Microwave-safe
• Freezer-safe
• Heat retention & thermal qualities

This is why manufacturers use food grade bioplastics such as PLA linings in cold drink cups and hot drinks cups for example and CPLA for cup lids.

How is PLA environmentally friendly?

PLA (which stands for polylactic acid) and CPLA are environmentally friendly compostable bioplastics made from plant-based materials and natural sugars such as corn starch, cassava, sugar cane and sugar beet.

To illustrate the process, extracted corn starch in the form of glucose is fermented to produce lactic acid which is transformed into a polymer and then into pellets known as resin. From there, the PLA pellets or resin, are either extruded into a sheet or film, injection moulded or spun into fibres.

Because it&#;s a plant-based material, PLA is also:

• carbon-neutral,
• and biodegradable.

This means it can completely break down in the right environment rather than decay into harmful micro-plastics. Because it can decompose, it's therefore commonly used in food packaging like cups, plates and cutlery, making it an eco-friendly alternative to traditional single-use plastic. What&#;s more, both PLA & CPLA require 65% less energy to produce than traditional plastics. PLA catering disposable packaging can biodegrade within 12 weeks in commercial composting, and as they are made from plants, use lower carbon energy, renewable or recycled materials, they contribute to sustainable packaging.

Food applications include Biodegradable food and drink packaging, for example:

What is the difference between PLA & CPLA?

For more information, please visit what is cpla plastic(fr,es,it).

PLA is best used for up to 40°C or 105°F. For products that require higher heat resistance, such as cutlery or coffee cup and soup cup lids, chalk is added to the PLA to act as a catalyst, followed by a rapid heating and cooling process of the PLA resin during production, resulting in CPLA being heat resistant to 90°C or 194°F.

At Green Paper Products, we offer a wide selection of products made from eco-friendly materials. Materials like cPLA and tPLA are changing the game for bioplastic production, especially in the food packaging industry.

Uh&#;What Do cPLA and tPLA Even Mean?

It's fair to say that cPLA and tPLA aren't in most people's daily vocabulary. Before you understand the difference between the two, you first need to know what polylactic acid is, better known by its abbreviation PLA. 

Polylactic acid "plastics" are technically not plastic, but they are an eco-friendly plastic alternative. PLA is a thermoplastic polymer created from renewable resources like sugar cane or corn starch. PLA plastic products are better for the environment than traditional, petroleum-based plastics.

Since PLA is derived from plant-based starches, it doesn't withstand heat as well as conventional plastics, which led to the creation of cPLA and tPLA. They are both stronger, modified versions of polylactic acid. If you are interested in learning more about PLA, check out one of our previous blog posts here.

Understanding the Difference

Although both are created from the PLA, there are notable differences between cPLA and tPLA plastics. 

Applying high heat and pressure to PLA causes the materials to crystallize&#; see where cPLA gets its name? Crystallized PLA plastic products are more durable and heat resistant than PLA plastic products. 

Talc-injected PLA is created by combining a ratio of PLA and talc. Talc is used to aid in PLA's ability to mold into more durable materials. Due to its ability to withstand heat, many eco-friendly cutlery options are made from tPLA.

Benefits of cPLA and tPLA Plastics

Bioplastics boast a variety of advantages compared to traditional petroleum-based plastics. 

• Conserves energy: Both cPLA and tPLA products require 65% less energy to produce than conventional plastics.

• Compostable: Talc-injected PLA plastics are 100% compostable in a commercial facility between 3-6 months. Crystallized PLA plastics take between 2-4 months to decompose fully. 

• Non-Toxic: Although cPLA and tPLA plastics are sustainable and compostable, some products will inevitably be incinerated upon disposal. Luckily, burning polylactic acid does not release toxic gases like sulfides or nitrides.

High-Quality cPLA and tPLA Products

Are you looking to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle? Purchasing sustainable plastic alternatives like cPLA and tPLA products is a great start. 

We have a wide selection of cPLA and tPLA products, including spoons, forks, knives, and more.

Are Compostable Products Right For Me?

Compostable products are tested to meet the ASTM or standards for commercial composting. They are intended for disposal in commercial composting facilities and will not break down in a landfill or other environments. Commercial composting is not available in all areas, and different states have different requirements for composting. Please check locally to ensure you have access to commercial composting before purchasing compostable products.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit disposable plastic cutlery supplier.