STTR Phase II: Advanced Poly(lactide) (PLA) Materials for Extruded and Molding Applications

This Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) Phase II project proposes to formulate and engineer chemically modified bio-based and biodegradable Poly(Lactide) based compounds, to generate a new class of materials that are, high strength, lightweight, multifunctional, environmentally friendly & cost-effective as an alternative to petroleum based polymers. NTIC has successfully commercialized a portfolio of reactive blended bio-based and/or biodegradable resins for extrusion, molding, and coating applications. However, it faces a major hurdle due to poor mechanical properties, high prices, and higher densities of current PLA materials. NTIC successfully developed novel chemistries of compatibilization to create advanced PLA bio-resins that offer improved toughness in Phase I of this work. The newly synthesized materials were applied in four different processing platforms to provide extruded films, injection molded cutlery, extrusion coated paper, and extrusion blow molded bottles. Phase II funding will allow NTIC to build on the success of the initial trials and build an improved, broader portfolio of high strength and economically viable PLA based products. The broader impacts of this research are technical, environmental, and economical. This work will (1) widen the window of performance of PLA based applications; (2) further fundamental understanding of PLA and its chemistries (3) greatly increase the use of biobased products in larger industrial and packaging markets implying environmental preservation of fossil fuel resources; and (4) create new jobs for sales, manufacturing, technical support of newly developed Natur-Tec® products.