Perstorp Capa caprolactone biopolymer food contact approved in Europe

Capa caprolactones, a biopolymer suitable for use in manufacturing bioplastics, has been food contact approved in Europe. The biopolymer is biodegradable and stable in both processing and end-use properties.

The approval for food contact could enable the development of many bioplastic products including shopping bags, drinking bottles, disposable and re-usable cutlery and plates, and food packaging.

Biopolymers represent an opportunity to significantly reduce the environmental impact of many fossil-based polyethylene and polystyrene products by replacing them with bioplastic ones. However, biopolymers are sensitive to processing temperatures, which can weaken the polymer structure, change the colour 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.

According to the company, the caprolactone biopolymer is 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. The company says that external tests have been performed to certify the compostability of the caprolactone biopolymer.