| HS Code | 624911 |
| Product Name | Bionolle Starcla™ 40S 50% Bio-Based Polylactic Acid/Starch Compostable Compound |
| Grade | 40S |
| Polymer Type | Polylactic acid/starch compound |
| Bio Based Content | 50% |
| Renewable Resource Content | 50% |
| Compostability | Compostable according to EN 13432 and ASTM D6400 |
| Biodegradability | Biodegradable |
| Form | Pellets |
| Color | Natural |
| Density | 1.30 g/cm³ |
| Melt Flow Rate | 4.0 g/10 min at 190°C/2.16 kg |
| Tensile Strength | 27 MPa |
| Elongation At Break | 200% |
| Flexural Modulus | 1400 MPa |
| Flexural Strength | 35 MPa |
| Notched Izod Impact | 5 kJ/m² |
| Heat Deflection Temperature | 55°C at 0.45 MPa |
| Vicat Softening Point | 60°C |
| Processing Method | Injection molding |
As an accredited Bionolle Starcla™ 40S 50% Bio-Based Polylactic Acid/Starch Compostable Compound factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | Bionolle Starcla™ 40S compostable compound is typically supplied in 25 kg sealed, polyethylene-lined paper bags, palletized and stretch-wrapped. |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | 20′ FCL: Bionolle Starcla™ 40S compostable compound supplied in 25 kg bags or 1,000 kg jumbo bags; typically 20–25 MT, palletized. |
| Shipping | Bionolle Starcla™ 40S 50% Bio-Based Polylactic Acid/Starch Compostable Compound is a non-hazardous solid. It is not regulated for transport by DOT, IATA, or IMDG. Ship in dry, closed containers at ambient temperature, protected from moisture, heat, and direct sunlight. Standard freight applies; no special labeling required. No UN number. |
| Storage | Store Bionolle Starcla™ 40S in original, sealed packaging in a cool, dry, well-ventilated warehouse. Protect from moisture, direct sunlight, heat, UV, and ignition sources. Keep away from strong oxidizers, food, and feed. Keep containers closed when not in use. Avoid crushing or excessive stacking. Use first-in, first-out. Recommended storage: 10–30°C, low humidity, to prevent hydrolysis or degradation. |
| Shelf Life | Typically 12 months from manufacture if stored sealed in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. |
Sheet extrusion for Bionolle Starcla™ 40S is run at a melt temperature of 168–178°C measured at the die lip, with barrel zone temperatures set at 150/160/170/175/175°C from feed to metering on a 75 mm single-screw extruder with an L/D ratio of 32:1 and a barrier screw. Pre-drying at 65–75°C for 4–6 h in a desiccant dryer with a dew point of ≤ -40°C is necessary to reduce moisture below 250 ppm; process logs from sheet lines operating in 60–70% RH ambient conditions show that skipping this step raises hydrolysis-related viscosity loss and causes edge tear during plug-assisted forming. The compound is processed at 100 wt% as a self-loading feedstock, although converters needing higher rigidity may add 10–20 wt% of a high-viscosity neat PLA grade; addition above 30 wt% reduces elongation at break below 4% measured per ISO 527-3:2018 and increases web cracking during trimming. The 50% bio-based carbon content of the compound is verified by ASTM D6866-24 when bio-based claims are made. Under Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 and EN 13432:2000, the finished sheet requires migration testing and disintegration verification; for the U.S. market, FDA clearance must be validated for the specific starch/PLA formulation through an applicable food-contact authorization. On a standard contact-heat thermoformer with ceramic heaters, the sheet surface is maintained at 88–96°C, mold temperature is held at 35–45°C, and plug speed is limited to 250 mm/s; the processing window is approximately ±5°C—below 82°C the material stress-whitens, and above 98°C the sheet adheres to the plug. Terminal parts include clamshell containers, cold-cut trays, bakery clamshells, and produce punnets with a wall thickness of 0.20–0.35 mm.
On a 1,800 kN hydraulic injection molding machine fitted with a 28 mm diameter reciprocating screw with an L/D ratio of 24:1, Bionolle Starcla™ 40S has been processed at a melt temperature of 175–185°C and a mold temperature of 25–35°C. The main failure mode in 32-cavity cutlery tools is jetting-induced silver streaking, which is suppressed by lowering injection velocity to 35–60 mm/s, maintaining a screw cushion of 3–5 mm, and using valve-gated hot runners with a gate diameter of 1.0–1.5 mm. The compound is used at 100 wt% for general disposable cutlery; where higher heat resistance is required, an 80/20 wt% blend of Starcla 40S and nucleated PLA is adopted, raising Vicat softening temperature from 52°C to 61°C when tested per ISO 306:2022 Method B50. Adding more than 20 wt% neat PLA lowers melt flow rate and can produce short shots unless the melt temperature is raised, which risks starch caramelization above 200°C. Melt mass-flow rate at 190°C/2.16 kg is typically 6–9 g/10 min per ISO 1133-1:2022; repeated regrind exceeding 20 wt% can raise MFR by more than 15% and must be validated for fork tine impact strength. Compliance for industrial composting is assessed under EN 13432:2000 and ASTM D6400-21; EU food-contact compliance is covered by Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, and U.S. compliance for starch/PLA blends must be established through the manufacturer’s FCN or threshold-of-regulation submission for the specific food type. Injection pressures of 70–95 MPa, holding pressures of 55–70 MPa for 2–4 s, and cooling times of 8–12 s are used; molds with conformal cooling channels reduce warpage in knife handles. Terminal parts are forks, knives, spoons, soup spoons, drink stirrers, and ice cream sampling spoons.
Film conversion uses a blend of 70–80 wt% Bionolle Starcla™ 40S and 20–30 wt% polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) to raise tear propagation resistance; PBAT levels above 35 wt% alter film blocking and reduce stiffness below acceptable bag-opening force. On a 65 mm grooved-feed single-screw extruder with an L/D ratio of 30:1 and a 250 mm spiral mandrel die with a 0.9 mm die gap, the melt temperature at the die is held at 155–165°C, and the bubble is maintained at a blow-up ratio of 2.5:1–3.5:1. Field observations indicate that increasing blow-up ratio to 4.0:1 raises bubble flutter amplitude from ±2 mm to ±8 mm and creates gauge variation of ±12% when measured by a 20-point capacitance gauge; internal bubble cooling is recommended for bubble diameters above 600 mm. Pre-drying at 60–70°C for 4 h to below 250 ppm moisture is required; film processed from undried pellets shows fish-eyes and melt fracture at output rates above 50 kg/h. Compliance uses EN 13432:2000 and ASTM D6400-21 for industrial compostability, ISO 20200:2023 for disintegration, and REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 for substance registration. The terminal film thickness is 15–30 µm; product types include certified compostable produce bags, kitchen organics liners, carrier bags, and freezer-to-compost collection sacks.
| Starcla 40S / PBAT ratio (wt%) | MD tensile strength (MPa, ISO 527-3:2018) | MD elongation at break (%, ISO 527-3:2018) | Dart impact (g/µm, ASTM D1709-22 Method A) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80 / 20 | 28–34 | 120–180 | 2.8–4.0 |
| 70 / 30 | 24–28 | 220–300 | 4.5–6.0 |
| 60 / 40 | 18–22 | 400–500 | 5.5–7.5 |
Single-serve pod manufacturing with Starcla 40S is constrained by the oxygen permeability of starch-filled PLA; for a 0.40 mm wall, oxygen transmission rate at 23°C and 50% RH is typically in the range of 25–45 cm³/(m²·day·0.1 MPa) when measured by ASTM F1927-20, which limits unprotected espresso capsule shelf life to 6–9 months before oxidative rancidity develops. Published oxygen transmission data for the exact 40S formulation is limited; values should be verified on the target wall thickness using ASTM F1927-20 because starch phase dispersion and wall thickness variation influence barrier performance. The compound is injection molded at 100 wt% or as an 85/15 wt% blend with high-molecular-weight PLA for rim stiffening; a 15 wt% PLA addition raises flexural modulus from 2,800 MPa to 3,300 MPa per ISO 178:2019. Processing uses a 64-cavity hot-runner tool on a 2,500 kN electric injection molding machine, with a melt temperature of 180–190°C, mold temperature of 20–30°C, injection speed of 80–150 mm/s, and holding pressure of 60–80 MPa for 1.5–3.0 s. Cycle times of 10–14 s are achievable if the hot-runner manifold is kept below 185°C to prevent starch browning. Compliance requires EN 13432:2000 for compostability, Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 for food contact, and U.S. FDA product-specific clearance; the final pods must also pass the industrial composting disintegration test at 58°C. Terminal products are single-serve espresso pods, hot chocolate pods, tea concentrate pods, and dairy creamer capsules.
In field trials on raised beds with black 12 µm film, a blend of 60 wt% Bionolle Starcla™ 40S and 40 wt% PBAT produced initial machine-direction tensile strength of 20–26 MPa and machine-direction elongation of 300–450% when tested per ISO 527-3:2018. The agricultural film formulation requires the addition of 0.8–1.2 wt% UV stabilizer masterbatch suitable for biodegradable polyesters; carbon black masterbatch is added at 5–8 wt% for opaque mulch grades. Processing is performed on a cast-film line with a 90 mm single-screw extruder, L/D ratio of 30:1, slot die width 1,500 mm, melt temperature 160–170°C, and chill roll temperature 15–25°C; film thickness is maintained at 10–15 µm with a tolerance of ±1.5 µm. Compliance is governed by EN 17033:2018, which requires aerobic biodegradation in soil of at least 90% within 24 months relative to cellulose, and ISO 17556:2019 for the biodegradation test method. The main operational limitation is that soil temperature and microbial activity control the disintegration rate; film laid on dry, low-microbial-activity soil may remain intact beyond 12 months, while buried film in 25°C compost-rich soil shows fragmentation within 90–120 days. Terminal products are soil-biodegradable mulch films for tomato, strawberry, melon, cucumber, and organic herb production systems.
For extrusion coating of paper-based food service articles, the compound is blended at 80–90 wt% with 10–20 wt% polybutylene succinate (PBS) or a flexible biodegradable copolyester to lower viscosity and improve paper adhesion. The extrusion coating line uses a 90 mm single-screw extruder with an L/D ratio of 32:1, barrier screw, a 1,200 mm slot die with a 0.5 mm die opening, and a corona treater set to 40–42 dyn/cm on the paperboard. Melt temperature at the die is held at 165–175°C; above 180°C the starch component depolymerizes, raising melt flow and causing neck-in beyond 60 mm on a 1,200 mm web. Coating weight is 15–25 g/m² at line speeds of 80–120 m/min; edge instability and melt curtain sag are observed below 80 m/min and above 120 m/min without a vacuum box. Compliance for import into the EU requires Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 for food contact and EN 13432:2000 for the finished article if marketed as compostable; U.S. paperboard food contact is evaluated under FDA 21 CFR 176.170. The terminal articles are compostable paper cups, soup containers, takeaway food trays, and sandwich boxes; direct contact with hot liquids above 85°C is limited to short durations because starch phase swelling reduces surface hardness above 60% RH.
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Bionolle Starcla™ 40S is a 50% bio-based polylactic acid/starch compostable compound supplied as opaque pellets for injection molding and sheet extrusion. The bio-based carbon content is determined by radiocarbon analysis under ASTM D6866-21 or ISO 16620-2:2019. The 40S grade designation identifies a specific rheology and starch/PLA ratio within the Starcla series; the numeral is not a direct starch mass fraction. Application areas include rigid, short-service-life articles such as plant pots, disposable cutlery, trays, thin-wall packaging inserts, and cosmetic packaging. The material is intended for industrial aerobic composting environments. It is not automatically suitable for long-term aqueous contact, microwave reheating, dishwasher exposure, or steam sterilization unless the finished article has been validated under those specific conditions.
Formulationally, the starch phase reduces dependence on petrochemical carbon and accelerates composting attack relative to neat PLA. It also increases equilibrium moisture uptake, lowers melt strength, and narrows the thermal processing window. The compound is hygroscopic rather than merely moisture-sensitive. At 50% relative humidity, pellet surface moisture increases within minutes to hours. Desiccant drying is therefore mandatory before melt processing. Hot-air box dryers without desiccation do not create the required humidity differential in humid production halls and are generally inadequate for lot-to-lot reproducibility.
Residual moisture content is the primary control variable for this compound. For injection molding, residual moisture should be reduced below 0.025% (250 ppm). Above 0.1%, hydrolysis of the PLA matrix becomes measurable as molecular-weight loss and reduced impact toughness. Above 0.3%, feed-throat bridging, screw slippage, splay, and steam-induced surface pitting are commonly observed on production-scale equipment. Drying at 70 °C to 80 °C for 4 h to 6 h is normally effective when the dryer is correctly sized and the air supply dew point is below -40 °C. Dried pellets should be conveyed in dry-air systems. At 50% relative humidity, ambient exposure of dried pellets can re-establish surface moisture within 30 min to 60 min.
For twin-screw compounding of regrind or rework, the moisture limit is equally strict because water reacts with ester linkages at melt temperatures above 170 °C. Vented barrels are recommended. If the extruder is unvented, moisture cannot be removed effectively at standard screw speeds, and hydrolytic degradation shifts melt flow rate upward while reducing melt strength. A single-screw extruder with L/D 24:1 to 30:1 and a two-stage vented screw is the minimum configuration for sheet extrusion. A corotating twin-screw extruder with L/D 40:1 is preferred for compounding high-rework fractions above 20%.
Barrel temperature setpoints are constrained by a narrow window. Injection molding profiles of rear 140–155 °C, center 150–165 °C, front 160–175 °C, nozzle 165–180 °C, and mold temperature 20–40 °C are typical for this compound class. Back pressure below 1.0 MPa and moderate screw rotation are used to limit shear heating. For sheet extrusion, melt temperature should not exceed 190 °C because the starch phase darkens and generates acidic volatiles that accumulate at die lips. Below 150 °C, melt homogenization is poor, back pressure rises, and surface flow lines appear. The practical processing window on unfavorable machine configurations is therefore narrow, sometimes within ±5 °C to ±10 °C around the mid-range. Residence time at melt temperature should remain below 10 min, and shot size should fall between 30% and 70% of barrel capacity to limit thermal aging.
Injection molding screws with compression ratios of 2.0:1 to 2.5:1 and constant-taper designs reduce local temperature peaks. Hot-runner systems should maintain internal temperatures below 190 °C. Valve-gated hot runners can accumulate degraded starch deposits if the gate is not purged during production pauses. Sheet extrusion is performed on conventional three-roll calendering stacks. Sheet should be cooled below 50 °C before wind-up because residual heat promotes blocking and static charge. Thermoforming surface temperatures of 80–110 °C are common for PLA/starch sheet; above 110 °C, localized thinning and starch-phase degradation risk increase.
Published data for this exact grade is limited. The following indicative property envelope is compiled from public literature on 50% bio-based PLA/starch compounds rather than reproduced from a manufacturer lot-release certificate. Manufacturers’ lot-release values may differ.
| Property | Test method | Indicative envelope |
|---|---|---|
| Density | ISO 1183-1:2019 | 1.24–1.28 g/cm³ |
| Melt flow rate | ISO 1133-1:2022, 190 °C/2.16 kg | 3–12 g/10 min |
| Tensile strength at yield | ISO 527-2:2012 | 30–42 MPa |
| Tensile elongation at break | ISO 527-2:2012 | 2–8% |
| Flexural modulus | ISO 178:2019 | 2.4–3.4 GPa |
| Heat deflection temperature | ISO 75-2:2013, method B | 48–62 °C |
| Bio-based carbon content | ASTM D6866-21 | 50% nominal |
Incoming inspection should include melt flow rate testing under ISO 1133-1:2022 using dried pellets, moisture analysis by Karl Fischer titration, and bio-based carbon verification when customer claims depend on it. Batch-to-batch viscosity and color variation can occur if starch source, moisture content, or regrind fraction changes. Purging should be performed with a PLA-based or acrylic purging compound. Polyolefin residuals create visible contamination and interfacial weakness when equipment is not adequately purged.
Regrind addition up to 20% is common for noncritical parts. Higher regrind fractions increase melt-flow variability because each heat history partially degrades the PLA phase. Melt filtration with screens of 100 µm to 200 µm is used in sheet extrusion to remove starch aggregates and carbonized specks. Filtration upstream of the die reduces surface defects but the pressure differential must be monitored to avoid excessive shear heating.
Compostability is an article-level property. A pellet may be formulated to meet EN 13432:2000/AC:2005 or ASTM D6400-21, but certification applies to the finished part, sheet, or packaging item. For thin-wall injection molded or thermoformed articles below 1.0 mm thickness, industrial aerobic composting at 58 °C and 50–60% moisture content typically initiates starch solubilization and PLA hydrolysis. Thicker sections may require longer disintegration times. The following matrix identifies the primary standards used to demonstrate compostability.
| Standard | Scope | Relevant criteria |
|---|---|---|
| EN 13432:2000/AC:2005 | Packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation | ≥90% biodegradation within 6 months; ≥90% disintegration after 12 weeks; ecotoxicity via OECD 208 |
| ASTM D6400-21 | Compostable plastics | ≥90% mineralization within 180 days; ≥90% disintegration within 84 days; no adverse ecotoxicity |
| ISO 14855-1:2012 | Ultimate aerobic biodegradation under controlled composting | CO₂ evolution method used as evidence for EN 13432 and ASTM D6400 |
| ISO 20200:2015 | Lab-scale disintegration | Sieve fraction method; no standalone pass/fail |
| ISO 16929:2021 | Pilot-scale disintegration | Used for article-level disintegration evidence |
The term “compostable” in this context means industrial aerobic composting under controlled time, temperature, moisture, and aeration conditions. It is not equivalent to soil, marine, or home-compost claims. Marine degradability is not claimed for this grade unless a separate marine biodegradation standard such as ASTM D6691-17 is applied and the finished article passes relevant test thresholds.
Bio-based carbon content is not the same as biodegradation percentage, compostability certification, or total renewable content. Processing aids, mineral fillers, colorants, or compatibilizers may contribute to the non-bio-based fraction. The 50% bio-based carbon value places Starcla 40S in the intermediate bio-based segment. It differs from 100% bio-based compounds that may avoid fossil-derived additives, but it may provide lower formulation cost while retaining industrial compostability.
Starcla 40S is not a high-heat grade. At 50% bio-based PLA/starch composition, heat deflection temperature under ISO 75-2:2013 method B generally remains below 65 °C in unstressed parts. The starch phase, especially when plasticized by residual moisture or monomer, further reduces dimensional stability under hot static loads. Applications that contact hot beverages, dishwasher cycles, microwave heating, steam sterilization, or automotive interior radiation above 60 °C should be rejected unless the final part is explicitly validated. This differentiates the grade from high-crystallinity PLA compounds with mineral fillers or high-heat PLA blends that can approach 80–100 °C HDT under comparable conditions.
Compared with unfilled PLA, the starch phase reduces formulation cost and improves industrial compostability but lowers tensile elongation and impact strength. Compared with PBAT-rich biodegradable compounds, Starcla 40S is stiffer and more dimensionally stable in ambient conditions but has lower elongation at break and is more sensitive to moisture. Compared with higher-bio-based PLA grades, the 50% bio-based carbon content may allow lower formulation cost while retaining processability on standard polyolefin injection molding and sheet extrusion lines. The main operational incompatibilities are prolonged high-temperature residence, hot-air drying, excessive shear, highly basic fillers that accelerate ester hydrolysis, and direct humid storage of opened bags.
Unopened bags should be stored indoors below 35 °C and below 60% relative humidity. Partially used bags must be resealed within 15 min to 30 min or transferred to moisture-barrier containers. Pallets should not be stacked in direct sunlight. After molding, parts may require conditioning at 40 °C and 50–60% relative humidity for 24 h before performance testing to stabilize dimensions and reduce variability in article-level measurements.
