Biodegradable & stable in use - now also food contact approved

Perstorp is the world leader in the supply and technological development of ε-polycaprolactones (PCL) under the Capa™ brand name. Bioplastics is a core focus area for Perstorp and an important part of Perstorp's vision for a more sustainable future, and its commitment to a greener environment. Capa™ thermoplastics are an excellent choice for bioplastic formulations especially since they are now also food contact approved in Europe.

In terms of biopolymers for bioplastics, Capa™ caprolactones is a tried and tested technology imparting precise and advantageous performance properties, which support both renewable and disposable bioplastic product development. Being both biodegradable and at the same time stable in processing and end use properties means, Capa™ caprolactones can be customized to satisfy the often competing demands of long-life, reusable and disposable bioplastics without any compromise. Capa™ for bioplastics offers real flexibility and the best of both worlds.

From stable to table

Capa™ for bioplastics (Capa™ 6500D) is now food contact approved in Europe and supports the development of many bioplastic products that end up on our tables. These products include shopping bags, drinking bottles, disposable & reusable cutlery and plates, and food packaging.

“Packaging is a huge market segment with an excellent potential for bioplastics. The increasing demand for packaging made from renewable and biodegradable material goes hand in hand with the products we offer and the solutions that we can provide in this segment”, says Linda Zellner, Project Manager Bioplastics.

Biopolymers with Capa™ is a winning formula

Biopolymers represent an exciting opportunity to significantly reduce the environmental impact of many fossil based polyethylene and polystyrene products by replacing them with bioplastic ones. However biopolymers are notoriously sensitive to processing temperatures, which can weaken the polymer structure, change the color, and even burn them. The mechanical properties of bioplastics, such as polylactic acid (PLA), starch-based plastics and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), also suffer from brittleness, stiffness and moisture sensitivity.

Capa™ caprolactones’s many advantages make it suitable for PLA, PHAs and starch blends in both durable applications, to improve mechanical properties, and in disposable or one-time use packaging applications where fast biodegradation is sought. External tests have been performed according to the biodegradation standard EN13432 to certify the compostability of Capa™.

“Caprolactone polymers are widely recognized for their excellent biodegradability and compatibility with a wide range of polymers. Adding and blending in Capa™ with PLA, starches and PHAs overcomes many of the processing problems, and dramatically improves the mechanical properties too“, Linda adds.

Capa™ for Bioplastics really is a winning formula because it provides fast biodegradation, and acts as a stable mechanical property enhancer in formulations and applications.