Thermoformed Articles

Nodax properties of barrier, heat and dielectric sealability, and printability offer potential as lidding or tub stock for thermoformed articles. 

Nodax coating can also be applied to foodservice articles such as cups, plates, and placemats. When it comes to disposal, Nodax is complimentary with composting of food waste. Its fast anaerobic degradability means these materials can be disposed of in marine or other low oxygen environments. The ideal market opportunities are found in closed loop environments such as theme park landfills, cruise and navy ships. 

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Thermoforming is perhaps the process with the lowest unit cost. Examples of thermoformed articles are refrigerator-door and food-container liners, containers for dairy products, and luggage. Some of the largest formed parts are camper/trader covers and liners for refrigerated-radroad-car doors (236). 

The largest application for thermoformed articles is for food packaging. Other industries include toiletries, pharmaceuticals and electronics. 

The modern food supply chain uses many forms of thermoformed articles meat trays, microwave and deep freeze containers, ice cream and margarine tubs, delicatessen tubs, snack tubs, bakery and patisserie packaging, sandwich packs and vending drink cups are just a few of the food related applications. Other non-food applications include manufacturing collation trays, blister packaging and point of sale display trays. 

In terms of biodegradable polymers, PLA is finding growing use for manufacture of thermoformed articles such as single-use disposable cups and trays, particularly for outdoor events. Starch-based biodegradable polymers can also be thermoformed for production of trays and containers for packaging fresh food and convenience food. 

Faerch Plast offers thermoformed articles based on Nature Works PLA polymers. Target markets include fresh foods such as meat, salad and pasta. 

NatureWorks. 2005c. Processing guide for thermoforming articles. Minnetonka, Minn. NatureWorks LLC. 

Various types of multilayer dies, such as the TRD, have successfully produced coextruded LCP-thermoplastic film, sheet, and thermoformed articles. These products are expected to penetrate the high barrier plastics market valued at more than 700 million per year for a variety of food, beverage, medical, and industrial packaging applications. Because of their very low permeability to oxygen and water vapor combined with high temperature and chemical resistance, coextruded LCP films should find applications in this market. The process for coextruded LCP thermoplastic multilayers overcomes the key problems previously limiting LCP coextrusion ... 

Crystallinity, the orientation of the chains and the clarity depend on the forming temperature. The shrinkage of PP thermoformed articles is complex and is a function of sheet crystallinity, orientation, thermoforming conditions and orientation arising from stretching of the sheet. Hence, a reliable figure for shrinkage is not possible. 

Applications for PHA can be found in areas of flushable, non-wovens, binders, films, flexible packaging, thermoformed articles, coated paper, synthesis paper, and coating systems (www.nodax.comV However, current PHA production cost is still too high to satisfy such low added value demand. Therefore, we believe that high added value application should be more realistic. As PHA are biodegradable, and possibly biocompatible, their application as biomaterials or tissue engineering materials should be very attractive. 

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