PHA-based Multilayers

Multilayer coextrusion has been widely used, studied and understood in the domain of synthetic polymers for its effect on the viscosity of polymers, die geometry, layer distribution, encapsulation, and interfacial instabilities, influencing the quality and functionality of the multilayer products. Despite the number and diversity of studies on multilayer flow and stability, only some articles report the use of biopolyester in coextrusion processes. Different stratified structures were processed by coextrusion and studied. But very few studies have been carried out with PHA. Most of these are based on the association between PHA e.g. PHBV, and plasticized starch. Applications of such PHA-based multilayers as commodities are primarily limited by PHA cost and have been until now by PHA availability, and thus attention is being focused on products with plastics constituting only a minor part, such as paper coatings like the plastic film moisture barrier in food and drink cartons and in sanitary napkins. 

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