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What are the barrier characteristics of NatureWorks PLA and how do they impact my product's shelf life? Compared to PET, uncolored PLA bottles have approximately eight times the transmission rate for both water and oxygen. However, adding colorants to the resin can reduce the transmission rates. If your product is water-based, PLA might not be the best choice if you need extended shelf life (more than several months). For moisture-sensitive products, we recommend testing to determine compatibility.
Can foods and nutritional products be packaged in NatureWorks PLA? The PLA resin is FDA-approved and suitable for food contact. It is widely used for dairy, juice and water bottles, as well as trays for deli meats, salads and single-serve meals.
Are there products that should not be packaged in NatureWorks PLA? PLA is made from polylactic acid, so products composed of a strong base chemical may not be suited for PLA. Also, some water-based products may not be well-suited for PLA since the water can evaporate over time, altering the product's composition.
Can NatureWorks PLA bottles withstand freezing? What about heat? Filled PLA bottles can be frozen and thawed successfully, and unfilled bottles can withstand heat up to 120ºF (filled bottles can take even higher sustained temperatures).
Will my bottles biodegrade on store shelves, or at the end-user? PLA is compostable and biodegradable in industrial composting conditions, but it will not degrade or disintegrate on shelves. In order to degrade, PLA must be exposed to temperatures greater than 140°F and relative humidity greater than 90% for approximately 60 to 80 days.
What kind of coloring and decorating is available? PLA accepts a wide variety of colorants, and can be decorated with a variety of methods including flexographically printed 1.6mm biaxially-oriented PLA labels. As an added benefit, PLA is known to hold the details of embossing better than PET for very detailed effects.
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