As you may be aware the bio-degradable plastic, Polylactic acid (PLA) made from corn has been drawing attention in recent years as new materials to replace conventional petroleum based plastics, amid increasing interest and concerns over environmental problems such as global warming, petroleum based resources being depleted and alternate disposal methods being limited. The bio-degradable plastic is favorable as it returns to nature as degraded into low molecule compounds such as water and CO2.

Made from 100% renewable resources, Cereplast resins use proprietary and patented formulations for a large variety of applications. Since Cereplast is starch-based, rather than petroleum-based, the cost is not subject to fluctuation based on the price of fossil fuels. The manufacturing process for Cereplast resins takes place at a lower heat than that required for manufacturing with traditional plastics, further bringing down manufacturing costs. 

Cereplast resins can substitute for traditional resins and are compatible with existing manufacturing processes and equipment. The MSDS, Processing Guide and technical support are readily available for converters.

Cereplast PLA bio-degradable pellet is 100% eco-friendly has FDA approval.

All Cereplast Resins are Certified as Bio-degradable in the United States and Europe
Cereplast’s uniquely formulated bio-based resins meet BPI (Biodegradable Products Institute) standards for compostability (ASTM 6400 D99 and ASTM 6868), and European Bioplastics standards (EN 13432)

Advantages over petroleum based plastics:

• Renewable annual raw material source – corn
• Products produced are compostable within 45 – 120 days vs. thousands of years for petroleum based products. The degradation process of the item is temperature, humidity and thickness dependent.
• Converting corn to the plastic resin requires 20% to 30% less energy.
• PLA’s good rigidity allows them to be a possible replacement for Polystyrene, ABS & PET.
• Are not price sensitive.
• PLA resins are exempted on the list of synthesized resins (PP, PS, ABS etc) which are subject to environment tax
• Has lower water absorbance. (0.13%) 
• High heat reistance
• Low taste transfer
• High Gloss
• Oil resistant

Common Applications include:

Cups
Disposable Goods
Packaging
Packaging, Food 
Autmotive Interiors
Medical
Bags
Bottles

Packaging made from PLA is bio-degradable and reverts in less than 60 days in ideal conditions, namely in commercial composting installations.
Food Service Applications

Summary of Cereplast PLA resins

• PLA (Corn Powder) and other elements are combined

• Eco-friendly: No synthetic resin (PC,ABS).  Eco-friendly material not cauasing harmful matters, like dioxin

• Affordability: usa of natural sources, corn powder, not affected by oil prices and is price stable.

• Utility: Various products in IT, home appliances, food packaging, environmental appliaces, etc.

• Future potential: Resolve environment pollution.

Eco-friendly material

• In contrast, biodegradable plastic is degraded into low molecular compounds such as water and CO2 by actvities of natural microorganism such as bacteria, fungus and molds.

• Price of petroleum based plastics is increasing but corn is the opposite situation due to cheap labor and ample field.  The corn production becuase an alternative resource and its expected prices will drop.

Features of Cereplast PLA

• Increased effort to reduce environmental damage

• 100% eco-friendly bio-degradable pellet

• PLA is admitted by FDA in the USA

• Main element-polymoleculrizing lactic acid from fermented corn powder

• Exempted on the list of synthesize resin (PP P3 ABS PC, ETC), which is subject to environment tax

• It can prepare the restriction of global warming gas emission that is happening internationally

• PLA can be used for food container or utensils for eating and there is no dioxin