Crystalline polylactic acid (cPLA) is an advanced form of polylactic acid (PLA), a popular biodegradable plastic made from renewable resources such as corn starch and sugar cane. Both are compostable polymers, but cPLA has higher heat resistance and durability than regular PLA.
In this article, we will explore the information about cPLA, its environmental benefits, applications, and comparisons with other bioplastics.
What is CPLA Meaning?
CPLA, or crystallized PLA, is a thermoplastic polyester produced by polymerization of lactic acid. Unlike standard PLA, cPLA requires crystallization technology to increase its mechanical strength and heat resistance, allowing it to be used in higher application environments.
The crystallization properties of biopolymers have led to their widespread use in packaging and food fields.
Advantages and Disadvantages of CPLA Materials
āAdvantagesā
āExcellent heat resistanceā: After modification, CPLA can withstand heat up to about 100Ā°C, which is suitable for hot drink cup lids, straws and other high-temperature scenes. It can still maintain strength and not deform at 95Ā°C water temperature.
āEnvironmentally friendly and sustainableā: The raw materials such as corn starch are renewable resources, which can be biodegraded and composted to reduce environmental pollution.
āGood food safetyā: The material has no odor, is non-toxic, meets food contact standards, and has antibacterial and non-mold properties.
āHigh production efficiencyā: By optimizing the formula and process (such as improving the crystallization rate), the molding efficiency of CPLA products can reach more than 18 molds/minute, and the yield rate exceeds 98%.
āStable product performanceā: CPLA straws have high roundness and uniform wall thickness, the shelf life can be extended to more than 12 months, and the hydrolysis resistance is improved.
āDisadvantagesā
High costā: Compared with traditional plastics or other degradable materials (such as ordinary PLA), the production cost of CPLA is significantly higher, which affects market promotion.
āLimited shelf lifeā: The product's best use period is usually 6-12 months. It needs to be strictly sealed and stored in a dry place. Moisture or light environment can accelerate degradation.
āHigh brittlenessā: PLA material has brittleness problems. Although CPLA has been improved, it may still have cracking risks in high-strength applications.
āDifficult to control degradation cycleā: The biodegradation rate is unstable and deviations occur in actual storage or use.
āProcessing adaptability challengesā: Some CPLA products (such as straws) are prone to aging or hydrolysis in the early stage, which requires specific modification technology to alleviate.
Applications of CPLA
āDisposable tablewareā: CPLA heat-resistant polylactic acid is used in disposable knives, forks, spoons, water cups, bowls, lunch boxes, children's tableware and other tableware and kitchenware. These products are not only heat-resistant to 100ā, but also have the characteristics of food contact safety, antibacterial and mildew-proof, compostable and degradable, and long shelf life.
āMilk tea strawsā: CPLA straws are not only heat-resistant to 100ā, and can be used for both hot and cold, but also have high hardness and high roundness, ensuring the safety and long shelf life of the straws. CPLA straws can also absorb small ingredients such as pearls and are not easy to flatten, suitable for milk tea and other drinks.
āCup lids and soup lidsā: CPLA materials are used for cup lids and soup lids, with the characteristics of heat resistance of 100ā, food contact safety, high strength, and sealing. These products can also be composted with coated paper cups to achieve environmental protection.
āTea bags and marinade bagsā: CPLA materials are used in filtration markets such as tea bags and marinade bags, and are safe when used at high temperatures, suitable for high-temperature processing processes such as brewing tea and boiling marinade.
āDrip coffee bagā: CPLA material is used for drip coffee bags, which has the characteristics of heat resistance of 100ā, no odor, safety and non-toxicity, and sufficient extraction, and is suitable for coffee brewing.
āPulp lunch boxā: CPLA film composite pulp lunch box solves the waterproof and oil-proof problems of pulp molded products, and has the functions of heat resistance of 100ā, no odor, safety and non-toxicity, biodegradability, microwave heating, and printable customization.
CPLA VS PLA
| Feature/Property | PLA (Polylactic Acid) | CPLA (Crystallized PLA) | CPPA (Polycaprolactone-co-Polylactic Acid, PCLA/CPPA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Polylactic Acid | Crystallized Polylactic Acid | Polycaprolactone-co-Polylactic Acid (also called PCLA or CPPA) |
| Structure | Amorphous or semi-crystalline polyester from lactic acid | PLA after crystallization, higher crystallinity | Copolymer of caprolactone and lactic acid; block or random copolymer |
| Heat Resistance | Low (typically <60Ā°C; softens at hot drink temps) | High (up to 95ā100Ā°C; suitable for hot food/drink contact) 5 | Adjustable; generally higher than PLA, but depends on CL content 1 |
| Toughness | Brittle, low impact resistance | Improved over PLA, more rigid and less brittle | Significantly improved toughness and flexibility over PLA 1 |
| Biodegradability | Industrially compostable; decomposes in months | Industrially compostable; similar to PLA | Biodegradable; degradation rate tunable by caprolactone content 1 |
| Main Applications | Cold food packaging, disposable cutlery, films | Hot beverage lids, straws, hot food containers, rigid packaging 5 | Medical devices, flexible packaging, stents, products needing high toughness 1 |
| Processing | Easy to process, but limited by low heat resistance | Needs extra crystallization step; more complex than PLA | Requires copolymerization; more complex than PLA or CPLA |
| Cost | Lower (widely available, mature process) | Slightly higher due to extra processing | Higher (copolymerization, specialty applications) |
| Key Advantages | Renewable, compostable, clear, easy to process | Heat resistant, safe for hot contact, rigid, food safe 5 | Toughness, flexibility, adjustable degradation, maintains strength and toughness 1 |
| Key Disadvantages | Brittle, low heat resistance, not suitable for hot applications | Needs controlled crystallization, less flexible than CPPA | More expensive, process complexity, not as rigid as CPLA |
Environmental Benefits of cPLA
One of the main reasons to choose cPLA is its positive impact on the environment. It is compostable, meaning it can break down into natural materials in a composting facility within a few months. This is much faster than regular plastic, which can take hundreds of years to decompose.
cPLA meets important standards like the BPI certification and ASTM D6400, which guarantee it is safe for composting. By using cPLA, companies reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and lower greenhouse gas emissions. It also helps reduce plastic pollution in oceans and soil.
Because cPLA is made from plants, it uses less fossil fuel than traditional plastic. This helps lower the carbon footprint of products made with cPLA, supporting a circular economy where materials are reused and recycled.
Conclusion
cPLA is a smart, eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastics. It combines the benefits of being made from renewable resources, compostability, and improved heat resistance. As more companies and consumers seek sustainable options, cPLA will play a key role in reducing plastic waste and protecting the planet.
Choosing cPLA helps build a cleaner, greener future. Whether you are a business owner or a consumer, consider switching to cPLA products for your packaging and disposable needs.
FAQ
Can cPLA products be industrially composted?
Yes, cPLA products that meet relevant certifications can be quickly degraded in industrial composting facilities and are environmentally sustainable.
How to identify the certification and quality of cPLA products?
You can check whether the product is certified by BPI, ASTM D6400, etc. to ensure that it meets composting standards.
What are the precautions for using cPLA products?
Avoid prolonged exposure to high temperatures (exceeding its heat resistance limit) and follow local composting regulations.
Where can I buy cPLA products?
Many environmentally friendly packaging suppliers and manufacturers provide cPLA products, such as hot drink cup lids, tableware, etc., which can be purchased in bulk according to demand.
