PLA FOAM EXTRUSION LINE Macro Engineering & Technology Inc. is showing off its new extrusion line for polylactic acid (PLA) foam sheet. The line uses tandem extruders to produce foamed PLA sheet between 1.2mm and 5mm thick and up to 1,270mm wide with a foam density of 0.07 grams per cubic centimeter.
WHAT'S NEW? A proprietary extruder design that addresses issues inherent in foaming PLA, most notably, working with the material's low melt strength, melt crystallinity and narrow processing window.
BENEFITS Uniform melt temperature distribution and reliable foaming. The sheet then can be thermoformed into compostable clamshell packaging and trays used for cold food applications.
Macro Engineering & Technology Inc., Mississauga, Ontario, 905-507-9000, www.macroeng.com
