Poly-Lactic Foam Article
	Brand Owner: Sekisui Plastics USA, Inc. Designer: Sekisui Plastics Co., Ltd Machinery Manufacturer: Sekisui Plastics Co., Ltd Materials: Sekisui Plastics Co., Ltd Molder: Sekisui Plastics Co., Ltd Moldmaker: Sekisui Plastics Co., Ltd
Company Entering Design - Materials: Sekisui Plastics Co., Ltd Product Description: Sekisui Plastics’ E-PLA, expanded PLA (poly-lactic acid) beads, have been developed which can be easily molded into a variety of shapes. The foamed PLA exhibits the following beneficial characteristics: - Excellent dimensional stability – up to 150C - Excellent organic solvent resistance - Weather resistance (low discoloration and low degradation in accelerated testing) - Easily colorable with bright colors - Very low VOC emissions - Easily moldable into a variety of shapes - Light weight (6-X expanded, 10pcf) - Excellent impact and energy absorption E-PLA is foamed PLA (poly-lactic acid), plastic material derived from organic renewable plant sources like corn. It is can be recycled into both itself and other plastics and exhibits “Carbon Neutral” characteristics. Foam parts molded from E-PLA exhibit many of the characteristics of traditional foam materials including: energy/impact absorption, solvent resistance and light-weight. However, with prolonged exposure to temperatures as high as 150C, E-PLA remains stable with no significant shrinkage, distortion or loss of properties. E-PLA offers elevated temperature performance useful for high temperature environment applications such as helmet cores for blast furnace workers, insulation materials, and other severe environments.
Why is the product innovative? Poly-Lactic Acid (PLA) is a polymer within the group of “Bio-Plastics”, sustainable alternatives to petro-chemical derived polymers. It is “renewable” and biodegradable. Sekisui Plastics developed unique process and formulation technology enabling the production of moldable foam beads from PLA, also known as E-PLA (expanded poly-lactic acid). While the processes required to produce and mold the E-PLA beads is quite different from those used for EPS (expanded polystyrene) and other moldable foam bead materials, the final molded parts are quite similar in appearance and properties. Molded E-PLA exhibits the following beneficial properties: a) High temperature dimensional stability: Molded E-PLA can endure long term exposure to temperatures as high as 150C without showing significant deformation. b) Solvent resistance: surface and appearance show minimal changes with immersion in many hydrocarbons, including kerosene. c) Weather resistance: stability demonstrated in accelerated weathering tests d) Colorable: even deep and brilliant colors are possible e) No VOCs emitted f) Easily moldable into a variety of intricate shapes g) Sekisui Plastics’ E-PLA complies with the self-regulating standard of Japan Hygienic Olefin and Styrene Plastics Association Because of the unique properties of molded E-PLA, we envision its commercial uses to initially be focuses where the requirements exist for high temperature stability and solvent resistance. Today’s traditional foamed helmet core materials, such as cross-linked polyolefin foams, EPS, and nitrile foams are not suitable for use in high temperature environments such as certain mining applications, blast furnace and foundry operations, and fire-fighting. However, molded E-PLA offers the energy/impact absorption, solvent resistance and light-weight characteristics needed, while also exhibiting the high temperature stability required in these environments. For insulation materials, both for heat/energy conservation and personnel safety, insulation parts can be easily molded from E-PLA and withstand severe conditions that exist in certain environments. The combination of E-PLA’s environmental standing as a renewable “Bio-Plastic” and its unique properties make it a unique and innovative product which will serve to provide new options to product designers while improving conditions for our planet.
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