VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland is developing an affordable and environment-friendly alternative for expanded polystyrene (EPS) from PLA bioplastic, which is derived from organic sources.

This polystyrene alternative can be used as a light packaging and insulation material.

PLA (polylactide) is a bioplastic made from renewable materials with the help of lactic acid. Currently, VTT is investigating methods of foaming bioplastics to make beads that are further refined into products such as insulation sheets, using methods typical of EPS manufacturing processes.

Annually, around 5-6 million tones of EPS is produced. When incinerated in a modern plant, the burning of EPS mainly results into the release of carbon dioxide and water. However, there is a possibility of the creation of harmful compounds in a deficient combustion process.

While EPS polystyrene is a recyclable material, the material often ends up in landfills or is combusted.

The expansion of the bioplastic by foaming is carried out in an eco-friendly manner, using carbon dioxide. The new biomaterial's density and heat insulation properties are similar to those of polystyrene.

The research centre is planning to take its development work out of the laboratory and closer to industrial processing. Currently, it is looking for partners from among companies operating in the field who could collaborate with the institute to carry out factory testing.

While PLA products similar to polystyrene are already available, their high price is a problem. Collaboration with companies from the field would help VTT to look for new and more efficient production methods to manufacture affordable products.

VTT is also working on the development of a process for PLA based on extrusion foaming to replace polystyrene in traffic and packaging applications.

Image: VTT is working on developing an eco-friendly alternative for polystyrene from PLA bioplastic. Photo: courtesy of VTT.