Corbion Purac's PLA resin has been officially certified as compostable by European certification organisation, Vinçotte of Vilvoorde, Belgium. The PLA resins have been awarded the OK Compost logo as well as the European Bioplastics Association's Seedling logo. The certifications allow downstream processors to develop compostable end-products based on a reliable and certified PLA resin foundation from Corbion Purac. The PLA and PDLA resins are available for commercial sale in pre-marketing volumes.

Composting of organic waste helps to divert organic waste from landfill or incineration. The European Union actively promotes the separate collection of organic waste. In cases where it is difficult to separate packaging or single use items from the organic waste, a compostable plastic is an excellent end of life solution.

Bioplastics Marketing Director François de Bie of Corbion Purac says that PLA is inherently suitable for compostable products and packaging.

Products or packaging featuring the OK compost label are guaranteed by Vinçotte as biodegradable in an industrial composting plant. The sole reference point for the certification program is the harmonised EN 13432: 2000 standard, which adheres to the requirements of the EU Packaging Directive ( 94/62/EEC)1. In addition to the OK Compost logo, Vinçotte is a certification body authorised by the European Bioplastics Association to award the Seedling logo to products that are in compliance with EN 13432.

The bioplastic portfolio at Corbion Purac has been extended with specific PLA grades tailored to extrusion, fibre spinning and injection moulding, as well as offering PDLA as a nucleating agent. Additional technical data regarding these PLA resins is available on request. In order to enable quick delivery times for European customers, Corbion says that it has material stock in the Netherlands.