New DuPont Polymer Additive Enhances Options for Bio-based and Biodegradable Packaging

WILMINGTON, Del., August 31, 2006 - DuPont has announced commercial availability of DuPont™ Biomax® Strong, a petrochemical additive that increases the utility of bio-based, biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) packaging.


PLA has held appeal within the packaging industry because it is biodegradable when composted industrially. It is considered a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics since it is derived from fermentation of agricultural by-products. However, adoption has been hindered by performance deficiencies compared to conventional plastics including brittleness and decreased durability.


Biomax® Strong helps address these issues by providing improved toughness. Compared to other tougheners, it enables improved transparency of the final containers made from PLA, an important consideration for packaging appeal. PLA made with the Biomax® Strong additive meets requirements for compostibility.


The new additive expands DuPont Packaging’s contribution to sustainable solutions in that it improves the performance of other sustainable offerings. DuPont is a world leader in the development and manufacturing of high-performance materials that provide environmentally sustainable solutions.


DuPont offers a complete line of high-performance polymers and additives to meet a wide range of packaging needs.


DuPont is a science company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.

8/31/06

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Contact Information

Cathy Branciaroli

DuPont Performance Materials

DuPont

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