PLA Film
Why Choose Us?
Quality Control
Our material and products are certified with BPI(ASTM D6400), Din Certco(EN13432), and are food contact safe with FDA and EU test reports.
Custom Service
We provide compostable material and products to plastic manufacturers and end customers, and offer custom solutions according to customers' requirements.
Advanced Equipment
Our company has tableware packing machine, injection molding machine, napkin folding machine etc.
High quality
Our compostable tableware and other products are made of PLA and other compostable material. They are eco-friendly, non-toxic, food contact safe and naturally antibacterial.
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Degradable, eco-friendly,good moisture and heat preservation.Strong barrier and
PLA is an opaque plastic suitable for making medical components as well as for prototyping applications. PLA is a high-strength but brittle plastic that cannot be used in applications that experience shock loads. The lactic acid building blocks of PLA can be made from fermented plant starch, like corn, under controlled conditions. It takes less energy to produce PLA than petroleum-based thermoplastics, making it relatively eco-friendly. PLA is often regarded as being biodegradable. However, it must be noted that PLA does not degrade naturally in the environment and must be composted under a special set of conditions such as a temperature of at least 60 °C, and humidity of 90 % which must be maintained over a period of 60 to 90 days. PLA decomposes into carbon dioxide, lactic acid, and water.
Polylactic acid (PLA) is a bioplastic made from repeating monomers having the chemical formula C3H4O2. Chemically, PLA is made from lactic acid molecules. The lactic acid is fermented from plant matter under precisely controlled conditions. The lactide dimer is produced by dehydrating lactic acid and then thermally degrading the lactic acid oligomers. The lactide is then polymerized using ring-opening polymerization in the presence of a catalyst.
OEM & ODM Services of PLA Film
Width
PLA films can be made in a variety of widths to suit different packaging and industrial applications. For example, in the food packaging sector, a common width range is 10 inches to 48 inches. Smaller widths (such as 10-12 inches) are often used to package individual food products, such as candy or small baked products. Medium widths (about 20-30 inches) are suitable for packaging medium-sized products, such as a loaf of bread or a package of sliced cheese. Larger widths (up to 48 inches) are used to cover larger surfaces, such as palletized products for shipping and storage protection.
Thickness
PLA film thickness can be adjusted to specific needs. Thinner films (usually ranging from 0.001 inches to 0.005 inches) are often used for lightweight applications. For example, in the packaging of disposable products such as plastic cutlery or straws, a thickness of about 0.002-0.003 inches is often used. Thicker PLA films with a thickness of 0.006 inches to 0.02 inches are more suitable for packaging heavy industrial parts or products that need to withstand longer storage periods.
Color Customization
PLA film offers a variety of customizable color options. Common colors include transparent colors, which are widely used in packaging food, cosmetics, electronic products, etc. due to their high transparency. They can clearly show the characteristics of products to increase their appeal; white gives a clean and tidy feeling, and is suitable for products with high hygiene requirements such as medicines and some food packaging, and is conducive to printing and color development; black has good light-shielding properties, and is a good choice for packaging medicines, health products and other products that need to be stored away from light. The appearance is also stable and high-end. In the color series, red is bright and eye-catching, and can be used for holiday gifts and promotional activities to create a festive atmosphere; blue is calm and reliable, and is often used to package technology and electronic products to convey a sense of technology and professionalism; green fits its biodegradable characteristics, and is used for organic food and green environmentally friendly product packaging to embody environmental protection concepts; yellow is bright and lively, and is often used for children's products and snack food packaging that attract the attention of children and young people.
Surface Texture
The surface texture of PLA film can be customized to create different tactile experiences and visual effects. The smooth texture gives the product a stylish and modern appearance, which is suitable for products that require a clean and professional appearance, such as high-end electronic product packaging. Matte textures, on the other hand, can create a softer, more refined look and are often used for luxury or handmade products.
Benefits of PLA Film
PLA (Polylactic Acid) film is an excellent choice for food packaging due to its transparency and clarity, comparable to PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate). This feature makes it highly suitable for food product packaging that stresses visibility.
The high transparency of PLA film allows consumers to clearly see the contents without opening the package, enhancing product appeal and trust that will influence buyer’s purchasing decisions. This visual access is particularly beneficial for items like fruits, salads, and deli products, where the freshness and quality of the food are key selling points.
PLA film has exceptional oxygen and water vapor barrier properties. These barriers are crucial in food packaging as they prevent the ingress of oxygen and moisture, which can lead to spoilage. By minimizing exposure to air and humidity, PLA film helps maintain the freshness, flavor, and nutritional value of the packaged food.
In addition to its freshness-preserving properties, PLA is an environmentally friendly option. Derived from renewable resources and being biodegradable, PLA reduces the environmental impact associated with traditional plastic packaging.
It’s important to note that the biodegradability and compostability of PLA depend heavily on the specific conditions of composting facilities. Factors such as temperature, humidity, and microbial activity all play crucial roles in how effectively PLA breaks down. Industrial composting facilities, which maintain optimal conditions for biodegradation, are necessary for the complete and efficient decomposition of PLA products.
PLA (Polylactic Acid) food packaging is a safe and sustainable alternative to traditional petroleum-based plastics. PLA food packaging does not release any toxic gases or harmful chemicals, ensuring it is safe for human use. This non-toxic property enhances the food safety of PLA-coated paper food packaging materials, making it an excellent choice for various food products. Unlike petroleum-based plastics, which can release potentially harmful substances, PLA provides a safer option for both consumers and the environment.
Standard: First and foremost, standard PLA is the regular type of PLA prevalent in the 3D printing industry, with no unique or special features besides the basic properties of the PLA material.
Plus: Plus and Pro are common terms in the filament business to describe a material that has been mixed with special additives to enhance its performance, usually concerning its strength. Pro PLA and PLA+ are great options if you want to print functional, real-world-use parts that will be subject to physical stresses but in a material that’s still easy to print.
Wood: Wood PLA is a composite type of PLA that contains additives that provide wood-like visual properties, and this filament is useful for making want-to-be wood parts, like plaques.
Silk: Silk PLA yields a super shiny, smooth, and silky finish to parts, making it a popular option for printing aesthetic pieces like vases.
Marble: Marble filament is another popular option, and real marble filaments contain small particles of marble to yield a marble-like, speckled finish. Other speckled filaments are also sometimes classified as marble PLA, even if they don’t contain real bits of marble.
Glittery: Glittery or sparkly PLA is a fun one! This type of PLA has large glitter particles that are very visible, so you can watch a printed part shine under light.
Carbon-fiber-infused: This type of PLA is another composite and, as the name suggests, is a PLA filament infused with carbon-fiber particles to increase the PLA’s strength and durability while maintaining most of its ease-of-use properties.
Glow-in-the-dark: Glow-in-the-dark PLA is very popular and will shine in the dark due to special additives in the filament.
Conductive: Conductive PLA is a type of filament that yields electrically conductive parts that you can use for low-magnitude electrical projects, like powering an LED using a 3D printed circuit.
Application of PLA Film
Food & beverage. Because it is derived from natural sources, PLA is non-toxic and food-safe. It can be used to package items that will be consumed by humans.
Medical. PLA’s non-toxicity means it can be used to create parts or components such as binding screws or other implantable devices.
Textiles. PLA is breathable and light, making it an excellent choice for creating textiles.
Cosmetics. PLA is relatively affordable and eco-friendly, and is an increasingly popular choice for the creation of cosmetics packaging – both from a cost and environmental standpoint.
Prototyping. Especially when 3D printed, PLA is a solid candidate for prototyping, where speed, cost, and ease of use are of utmost importance.
Process of PLA Film
Step1: Wet milling
The process begins with converting corn starch into sugar through a mechanical method known as wet milling. This involves separating the starch from the corn kernels. Once separated, acids or enzymes are added and the mixture is heated, converting the starch into dextrose (sugar).
Step2: Fermentation
The dextrose is then subjected to fermentation. This is typically done by adding Lactobacillus bacteria to the dextrose, which ferments the sugar and produces lactic acid.
Step3: Lactide formation
The lactic acid is subsequently transformed into lactide, which is a ring-form dimer of lactic acid. These lactide molecules bond together to form polymers.
Step4: Polymerization
The polymerization process results in small pieces of raw polylactic acid plastic. These can be further processed and molded into various PLA plastic products.
The production of PLA involves several technical steps. After wet milling, fermentation, and lactide formation, the polymerization of PLA can be fine-tuned to produce specific grades of plastic suitable for different applications.
How to Maintain PLA Film
To keep your film in prime condition store them:
1.In a re-sealable bag
2.Out of direct sunlight
3.In a dry and cool location
Who Created PLA?
In the early 20th Century, quantum physics was transforming chemistry by explaining, for example, how covalent bonds form polymers. The industrial giant DuPont decided it had to get in on the action as these discoveries led to remarkable chemistry breakthroughs.
One of the scientists DuPont recruited in 1927 was organic chemist Wallace Carothers. His research lab invented polymers that DuPont would go on to market as Nylon and Neoprene. Carothers also created PLA but for decades afterward DuPont’s production process was too expensive for businesses other thanthe pharmaceutical industry.
Flash forward to the 1990s when an idealistic chemist named Patrick Gruber decided he would help end the world’s reliance on petroleum. One weekend, Gruber and his chemist wife Sally cooked up the first batch of corn-based PLA on their kitchen stove.
What are the Problems with PLA Plastic?
To properly dispose of PLA plastics, you have to send them to a commercial facility. These facilities use extremely controlled environments to speed up decomposition. However, the process can still take up to 90 days.
To produce PLA, you need a huge amount of corn. As production of PLA continues and demand increases, it could affect the price of corn for global markets. Many food analysts have argued that vital natural resources are better used in food manufacturing, rather than packaging materials. With 795 million people in the world without enough food to lead a healthy active life, doesn’t it suggest a moral issue with the idea of growing crops for packaging and not for people?
PLA films will always compromise the shelf life of perishable foods. What many people fail to see is this unavoidable paradox. You want a material to degrade over time, but you also want to keep your produce as fresh as possible.
The average lifespan for PLA film from the time of manufacture to final use can be as little as 6 months. This means there’s only 6 months to manufacture the packaging, pack products, sell products, deliver to the store and for the product to be consumed. This is especially difficult for brands looking to export products, as PLA will not provide the protection and longevity needed.
Our Factory
Shanghai Exquisite Biochemical Co., Ltd (Hereinafter PLAbiochem) is an enterprise specialized in the R&D, production and sales of compostable plastic material and products.
FAQ
We're professional pla film manufacturers and suppliers in China, specialized in providing high quality customized service. We warmly welcome you to buy high-grade pla film for sale here from our factory.
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