Natureworks develops bioplastics from corn starch
Next 1st March, within the framework of the VI edition of the International Seminar on Biopolymers and Sustainable Composites of AIMPLAS, Natureworks will launch its new biopolymer Ingeo, elaborated from corn starch with properties that make possible its use in high added value applications, such as those resulting from its use in rigid and flexible packaging manufacturing.
For the production of this revolutionary bioplastic, dextrose (sugar) from corn is used. The plant itself produces it during photosynthesis as food and stores it in form of starch. A series of microorganisms are in charge of transforming starch in lactic acid that, after a transformation process in two stages allows obtaining the lactide rings. These rings, subject to polymerization, will result in pellets made of this innovative bioplastic commercialized under the Ingeo brand.
The industrialization of this bioplastic allows the industry to elaborate innovative products for the household appliances, food packaging, electronics and even personal and household equipment sectors, with a carbon footprint 75 % lower than the conventional plastics one, such as PS or PET.
It represents a responsible consumption alternative whose end of useful life can be recycling in conventional equipments but also composting in plants for this purpose, incineration or even landfills.