| HS Code | 296084 |
| Product Name | Natureplast PLE 003 |
| Chemical Base | Polylactic Acid (PLA) |
| Appearance | Transparent |
| Form | Pellets |
| Processing Method | Extrusion |
| Density | 1.24 g/cm³ |
| Melt Flow Index | 6 g/10 min (190 °C, 2.16 kg) |
| Melting Temperature | 150-170 °C |
| Glass Transition Temperature | 55-60 °C |
| Tensile Strength | 50 MPa |
| Tensile Modulus | 3500 MPa |
| Elongation At Break | 5% |
| Flexural Modulus | 3500 MPa |
| Impact Strength Charpy Notched | 2-3 kJ/m² |
| Vicat Softening Temperature | 60 °C |
| Heat Deflection Temperature | 55 °C |
| Water Absorption | <0.5% |
| Compostability | Compostable according to EN 13432 |
| Renewable Content | >95% |
| Food Contact | Suitable for food contact |
As an accredited Natureplast PLE 003 Transparent Compostable Extrusion Polylactic Acid factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | Supplied in 25 kg moisture-barrier sacks, Natureplast PLE 003 Transparent Compostable Extrusion Polylactic Acid is protected for industrial storage. |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | Secure 20′ FCL loading of palletized Natureplast PLE 003 transparent compostable extrusion PLA, shrink-wrapped and braced for safe transport. |
| Shipping | Natureplast PLE 003 is shipped as non-hazardous, non-regulated solid polymer pellets in sealed moisture-barrier bags or octabins. No UN number, transport class, or packing group applies. Keep dry, away from heat and sunlight; handle with standard PPE and avoid dust generation. |
| Storage | Store Natureplast PLE 003 in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight, heat, ignition sources, and moisture. Keep in tightly sealed original packaging to prevent hydrolysis and contamination. Recommended storage below 30°C, with relative humidity below 50%. Avoid prolonged high temperatures. Use FIFO stock rotation and dry material before extrusion if required. |
| Shelf Life | Shelf life is typically 12 months when stored unopened in original packaging, cool, dry, away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. |
In cast monolayer film for fresh-produce flow-wrap, PLE 003 is introduced through a 45 mm single-screw extruder with a 30:1 L/D barrier screw and Maddock mixing section, fitted with a gear melt pump to reduce surging at die pressures of 110–160 bar. The resin is pre-dried in a desiccant hopper to a residual moisture content below 250 ppm at 80°C for 4–6 h; undried flake produces hydrolytic chain scission that appears as edge tear and surface pitting at line speeds above 120 m/min. Barrel zones are set at 185–205°C, with the adapter and flat die held at 190–205°C; melt temperatures above 230°C generate lactide deposits on the die lip and yellowing of the cast sheet. The molten web is pinned to a polished chill roll at 18–25°C; polish roll temperatures above 30°C allow spherulitic growth that raises haze above the 5% threshold measured by ASTM D1003. Edge trim is pelletized and re-fed at up to 15 wt% only after re-drying; higher regrind ratios create gel specks and reduce optical clarity. For monolayer transparent packaging films, PLE 003 is processed at 100 wt% with a slip/antiblock masterbatch dosed at 0.5–2.0 wt%; slip dosing below 0.3 wt% causes blocking on the take-up roll, while dosing above 2.5 wt% increases coefficient of friction variability and plate-out on the chill roll. Thickness is controlled to ±5% using a capacitance gauge, and film in the range of 20–45 µm is tested for tensile properties under ISO 527-3, tear strength under ASTM D1922, oxygen transmission under ASTM D3985, and water-vapor transmission under ASTM F1249. The formulated film must satisfy the compostability criteria of EN 13432:2000 and, for direct contact with non-fatty fruit and vegetable products, migration limits under EU No 10/2011 with food simulant A and D1; U.S. food-contact status is supplier-specific and confirmation of the grade’s FDA FCN listing is required. Terminal articles from this configuration are transparent pillow pouches, bakery front-face films, and flow-wrap for dry goods, with cold-seal or heat-seal layers coextruded separately because neat PLE 003 exhibits a seal-initiation temperature near 90°C and a narrow heat-seal window.
Thermoforming of transparent PLE 003 sheet is a deep-dive process zone because the forming window sits between the glass transition at 55–60°C and the cold-crystallization onset near 105–120°C; infrared ovens must hold sheet surface temperature at 95–105°C before plug-assisted forming. Sheet is first extruded on a 75 mm single-screw line with 33:1 L/D and a coat-hanger die of 1,400 mm width, melt temperature 195–210°C, and a three-roll polishing stack set at 30–40°C to produce sheet of 0.8–1.2 mm. Formulation is based on 100 phr PLE 003; in-line reclaimed edge trims are added at 20–30 wt% only after re-drying to <200 ppm moisture, because higher regrind ratios raise gel flecks and reduce draw uniformity. Impact modification, where required for hinge flexing of clamshells, is introduced as a compostable low-Tg polyester at 3–5 phr; excess loading typically raises haze above the 6% limit under ASTM D1003, so each commercial formulation must be verified by optical transmission testing. Plug-assisted thermoforming uses aluminum plugs heated to 70–80°C and blow pressure of 4–6 bar; wall thickness variation exceeds ±10% when sheet surface temperature varies by more than ±3°C across the web. The process conflict is that insufficient heating creates microcracks at the plug contact points, while overheating induces crystallization that appears as hazy bands on the sidewalls. Compliance for finished articles is verified under EU No 10/2011 for aqueous and acidic simulants at 40°C for 10 days, and compostability certification follows EN 13432:2000 with disintegration testing under ISO 16929. Terminal product types are cold-fill cups, transparent produce punnets, deli lids, and clamshells intended for service below 45°C; hot-fill or microwave exposure is outside the operational boundary.
At film thicknesses below 25 µm, blown-film extrusion of PLE 003 is constrained by low melt strength and limited bubble stability; published data for this specific grade in pure-PLA blown-film systems is limited, so the following describes commercial blending practice rather than a certified mono-material recipe. The process uses a 50 mm grooved-feed single-screw extruder with a 27:1 L/D barrier screw and a 100 mm spiral mandrel die with a die gap of 1.2–1.8 mm; melt temperature is maintained at 175–190°C, and the bubble is quenched with a dual-lip air ring at a frost-line height of four to six die diameters. Bubble blow-up ratio is kept at 2.2:1–3.0:1, because neck-in and bubble flutter occur above 3.2:1 when melt strength is insufficient. Formulation uses PLE 003 at 35–55 wt% blended with a compostable PBAT-rich polyester at 45–65 wt%, with a 1–3 phr biodegradable compatibilizer masterbatch and 0.5–1.0 wt% of a mineral-based anti-block. Film of 18–30 µm is corona-treated inline to a wetting tension of 42–46 mN/m; this treatment decays over storage, so conversion should occur within 72 h. Mechanical verification includes dart drop impact under ASTM D1709-B and tensile properties under ISO 527-3. The primary compliance standards for compostable produce bags are EN 13432:2000 and ASTM D6400; food-contact suitability is assessed under EU No 10/2011 with overall migration tested in food simulant E for dry contact or food simulant A for aqueous contact. The terminal products are transparent fruit and vegetable roll bags, lightweight compostable shopping bags, and bread bags with perforation patterns cut after winding.
The substitution of PVC or PETG with PLA-based shrink film is not a drop-in replacement; PLE 003-based sleeves require reformulation and retooling of the shrink tunnel because shrink initiation and shrink force differ. The downstream process begins with cast sheet at 220–280 µm, extruded at 190–205°C and quenched on chill rolls at 15–20°C to suppress crystallinity. The sheet is then drawn in the machine direction at a ratio of 3.0:1–4.0:1 between heated rolls at 65–75°C; drawing outside this range either fractures the web below 65°C or sets uncontrolled thermal shrinkage above 75°C. A post-draw annealing station at 50–55°C stabilizes the oriented film. Formulation for this application is not neat PLE 003; processors evaluate PLE 003 at 80–90 wt% with a low-Tg compostable copolyester at 10–20 wt% and a slip concentrate at 0.3–0.8 wt% to reduce blocking during roll storage. Shrink force measured under ISO 14616 remains below typical PETG values, so tunnel residence time and steam temperature of 85–95°C must be profiled; printed sleeves seamed with solvent require seam strength testing under ASTM F88 or equivalent. Compliance for printed shrink film requires EU No 10/2011 migration testing for dry and aqueous food simulants and EN 13432:2000 compostability verification; printing inks and adhesives must themselves be certified compostable. Terminal product types include tamper-evident neck bands for cold-filled beverage bottles, multipack sleeves for lightweight cartons, and box overwrap where the article remains below 45°C through distribution.
For compostable paperboard windows, a 25 µm cast film of PLE 003 is adhesive-laminated to die-cut recycled paperboard in place of petroleum-based acetate or PET windows. The film is produced on a 45 mm single-screw cast line with barrel temperatures of 185–200°C, a chill roll set at 18–25°C, and inline thickness measurement to hold ±5% tolerance. After casting, the film surface is corona-treated to 44–46 mN/m; treatment below 40 mN/m causes adhesive dewetting and delamination at the window perimeter, while overtreatment above 50 mN/m can embrittle the surface and reduce interlayer bond after 24 h. Formulation is neat PLE 003 at 100 wt% with a slip masterbatch at 0.5–1.0 wt%; loading above 1.0 wt% migrates to the film surface and reduces lamination bond strength under shear. The lamination adhesive and paperboard must comply with EN 13432:2000 if the finished carton carries a compostability claim; the film itself is assessed under ISO 14855-1 for ultimate aerobic biodegradation. Terminal product types are transparent windows for folded cartons in bakery, confectionery, sandwich wedge packs, dry food cartons, and coffee bags; the film is not intended for direct heat sealing to rigid board because low heat-distortion resistance limits jaw-temperature settings.
Filament extrusion from PLE 003 is comparatively forgiving, but moisture and diameter control are the primary failure points. The process uses a 45 mm single-screw extruder with a 30:1 L/D barrier screw, melt pump, and rod die; melt temperature is held at 190–205°C, and the extrudate is quenched in a water bath at 40–60°C before entering a multi-axis laser diameter gauge. Diameter tolerance for feedstock is maintained at 1.75 ± 0.05 mm or 2.85 ± 0.05 mm; ovality above 0.03 mm creates inconsistent feeding in FFF extruders. PLE 003 is processed at 100 wt% without nucleating agents or pigments to retain transparency, though 0.2–0.5 wt% of a moisture scavenger masterbatch is used when ambient humidity exceeds 60% RH; the base resin must be predried to <250 ppm moisture before processing. The finished filament is tested for tensile properties under ISO 527-2 and melt flow rate under ISO 1133-1:2022; feedstock is compliant with REACH and, where applicable, RoHS. Compostability of printed objects made from PLE 003 can be evaluated under EN 13432:2000 only if all additives and colorants are absent or certified compostable. Terminal product types are transparent 1.75 mm and 2.85 mm FFF filaments for form/fit prototypes, educational models, and non-structural printed parts; the amorphous PLA filament softens above 55°C, limiting end-use applications to ambient-temperature service.
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Natureplast PLE 003 Transparent Compostable Extrusion Polylactic Acid is supplied as a transparent polylactic acid grade intended for melt extrusion processes. The designation PLE 003 identifies a compostable PLA extrusion compound used in rigid sheet, cast film, profile, tube, and thin-gauge thermoforming feedstocks where optical clarity and stiffness are required. The base polymer is an aliphatic polyester derived from renewable carbohydrate feedstocks. Because PLA is hydrolytically sensitive in the melt, the finished article is generally tested under EN 13432:2000 or ASTM D6400-21 only after the complete formulation is assessed. Grade-specific values for melt flow rate, tensile properties, and thermal resistance must be obtained from the supplier certificate of analysis. Published data for this specific configuration is limited; the values presented here are representative of unfilled transparent PLA extrusion resins and are not a substitute for lot-specific documentation. Typical unfilled transparent PLA extrusion grades exhibit a melt flow rate of 2–8 g/10 min at 210 °C/2.16 kg under ISO 1133-1:2022, a density of 1.24–1.26 g/cm³ under ISO 1183-1:2019, and tensile strength in the range of 50–65 MPa under ISO 527-2:2012. The lower melt flow range relative to injection-molding PLA grades provides melt strength for extrudate stability in flat-die sheet and free-surface profile forming.
Unlike impact-modified PLA compounds, the unmodified transparent grade does not contain a dispersed elastomer phase. This structural difference yields higher optical transmission but lower notched impact strength. In flat-die sheet extrusion, the grade is typically processed at melt temperatures of 190–210 °C; the melt should not exceed 230 °C because thermal degradation accelerates and generates lactide, discoloration, and viscosity loss. A single-screw extruder with L/D 24:1–30:1 and a compression ratio of 2.5:1–3.5:1 is preferred for simple sheet and profile conversion. High-shear twin-screw configurations may generate excessive viscous heating unless screw speed and temperature settings are reduced. The finished article should be cooled rapidly enough to limit spherulite growth and preserve transparency, but rapid cooling also limits crystallinity and heat resistance. Roll-stack temperatures below 60 °C are commonly used for transparent sheet, while higher roll temperatures can anneal the sheet and raise heat deflection temperature at the expense of haze.
Residual moisture is the dominant melt-processing risk for PLE 003 because PLA undergoes hydrolytic chain scission at melt temperatures above the glass transition. The reaction attacks ester linkages, reduces molecular weight, and produces a measurable drop in melt viscosity. For unfilled transparent PLA extrusion grades, the recommended moisture content before processing is below 250 ppm, and many converters specify 100–250 ppm. Drying in a desiccant dryer at 80 °C for 4 h to a dew point of -40 °C or lower is typical. Hopper residence time may be extended to 6 h when ambient relative humidity exceeds 60%. Inadequate drying on a single-screw line with L/D 30:1 can produce viscosity loss through hydrolysis during a 5 min residence time at 200 °C, resulting in surging, lowered die pressure, and sheet gauge variation. Processors may observe increased purge yellowness and a wider molecular weight distribution when moisture exceeds the recommended window. The dryer must be maintained with a sufficiently low dew point because heated hopper dryers without desiccant beds do not remove enough water when ambient humidity is high.
Barrel temperature profiles are typically set from 170 °C in the feed throat to 200 °C at the metering zone, with die temperature held at 190–210 °C. A general-purpose polyolefin screw may be inadequate for uniform melting; a barrier screw with a Maddock mixing section is commonly used. Residence time at melt temperature should be kept below 5 min. Start-up and shutdown purges should use a thermally stable polyolefin or PLA purge compound rather than acetal or PVC, which can degrade and form acidic residues that attack PLA. The material should not be processed in equipment that has not been purged of polyamide or polyester residues unless the equipment is thoroughly cleaned, because residual hydrolysis catalysts or high processing temperatures can alter viscosity and color.
The comparative data in Table 1 represent published ranges for unfilled PLA grades and illustrate the processing-related differences between extrusion and injection-molding variants.
| Property | Test method | Transparent extrusion PLA typical range | Injection-molding PLA typical range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melt flow rate | ISO 1133-1:2022, 210 °C/2.16 kg | 2–8 g/10 min | 10–30 g/10 min |
| Density | ISO 1183-1:2019 | 1.24–1.26 g/cm³ | 1.24–1.26 g/cm³ |
| Tensile strength at yield | ISO 527-2:2012 | 50–65 MPa | 50–65 MPa |
| Tensile modulus | ISO 527-2:2012 | 3.0–3.5 GPa | 3.0–3.5 GPa |
| Elongation at break | ISO 527-2:2012 | 2–6% | 2–5% |
| Notched Izod impact strength | ISO 180:2019 | 1.5–3.0 kJ/m² | 1.5–3.0 kJ/m² |
| Heat deflection temperature at 0.45 MPa | ISO 75-2:2013 | 50–60 °C | 50–60 °C |
Compounding modifications shift these ranges. Impact modifiers generally reduce tensile modulus and transparency while raising elongation at break. Mineral fillers increase density, reduce shrinkage, and eliminate transparency. Nucleating agents can raise crystallinity and heat deflection temperature but introduce haze. The transparent extrusion grade is therefore specified when the optical property set is dominant and when the load-bearing requirement is limited to ambient or chilled service.
When PLE 003 replaces opaque mineral-filled PLA in thin-gauge thermoforming feedstocks, the processor must account for differences in sheet shrinkage, sag resistance, and surface friction. Unfilled transparent PLA sheet tends to have higher shrinkage along the machine direction than filled sheet because the filler phase reduces polymer chain orientation and increases dimensional stability. The sheet temperature for thermoforming is typically in the range of 90–110 °C, but the absence of filler reduces thermal conductivity and may require longer oven dwell times or lower infrared heater intensity. Transparent PLA sheet also requires cleaner roll surfaces and trim handling because surface defects are more visible. In applications previously running impact-modified PLA, the unmodified grade will exhibit lower puncture resistance and lower notched impact strength. The substitution is appropriate for rigid trays, cups, lids, and packaging inserts where transparency is important and impact loads are low. When drop-impact resistance is critical, the product may require a lower draw ratio or a blended structure with a sacrificial outer layer.
The thermoformed article retains the industrial compostability profile of the parent PLA only if inks, adhesives, coatings, and labels are also selected for composability under the same certification framework. A transparent PLA tray with non-compostable adhesive labels can fail the disintegration requirements of EN 13432:2000 even when the polymer itself meets the biodegradation threshold. Processors must evaluate the finished article as a whole, not the base resin in isolation.
Compostability claims for PLE 003 are meaningful only when the finished packaging or article is tested under the full chain of chemical, biodegradation, disintegration, and ecotoxicity requirements. PLA generally meets the biodegradation threshold under controlled composting conditions, but the time to reach 90% biodegradation depends on thickness, surface area, crystallinity, and the presence of fillers. Industrial composting facilities operating at thermophilic temperatures above 58 °C provide the hydrolysis-driven chain scission necessary for PLA mineralization. Home composting is not a reliable end-of-life scenario for unmodified transparent PLA because the temperature and moisture conditions are often insufficient for timely degradation. Table 2 outlines the certification and test matrix relevant to a compostable PLA extrusion compound.
| Standard or regulation | Scope | Typical criterion |
|---|---|---|
| EN 13432:2000 | Packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation | ≥90% biodegradation in 6 months; ≥90% disintegration in 12 weeks; no adverse ecotoxicity |
| ASTM D6400-21 | Compostable plastics | ≥90% biodegradation; ≥90% disintegration; no adverse impact on compost quality |
| ISO 14855-1:2012 | Aerobic biodegradation under controlled composting | ≥90% absolute or relative degradation |
| ISO 16929:2021 | Pilot-scale disintegration | ≥90% passing a 2 mm sieve after 12 weeks |
| REACH 1907/2006 | EU chemical registration and restriction | Compliance with SVHC restrictions and registration obligations |
| RoHS 2011/65/EU | Hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment | Maximum concentration limits for Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr(VI), PBB, and PBDE |
Food-contact status must be established under EU Regulation 10/2011 or the relevant national food-contact provisions. No generic grade-level food-contact statement applies without review of additives, processing aids, and the finished article. Biobased carbon content can be evaluated by ASTM D6866-22 or EN 16640:2017 if a renewable carbon claim is required, but biobased carbon content is not equivalent to industrial compostability. The compostable claim depends on measured biodegradation under the applicable standard, not solely on the plant-based origin of the polymer.
PLE 003 occupies a specific position among compostable extrusion materials because it is a rigid, transparent PLA grade. PBAT-based compounds are typically flexible, with elongation at break above 200%, low tensile modulus, and reduced transparency. PBAT is used for film and bag applications requiring high tear resistance and bending fatigue tolerance; it is not a direct substitute for rigid transparent PLA sheet. PHA grades can offer higher heat deflection temperature than unmodified PLA, but PHA melts are often more thermally sensitive and exhibit a narrower processing window. Unmodified transparent PLA has higher tensile modulus than PBAT and generally better optical clarity than PHA, but its heat deflection temperature is low unless the part is annealed or blended with a higher-heat biodegradable polymer. Annealing transparent PLA at 80–100 °C can raise crystallinity and heat resistance but reduces transparency and increases shrinkage. These trade-offs are product-specific and must be evaluated on the intended extrusion line.
In comparison with opaque PLA extrusion grades, the transparent version has a lower density than mineral-filled compounds and lower melt stiffness than talc-filled sheet grades. However, the unfilled product provides a cleaner weld line and fewer die-lip deposits than filled systems. The lower melt viscosity of unfilled PLA relative to filled PLA may require tighter die-lip control for flat-die sheet. In profile extrusion, vacuum calibration tanks and low-friction calibrators are used because the material has a high coefficient of thermal expansion and can stick to hot metal surfaces.
Processors should not combine PLE 003 with acetal or PVC purge residues in the same changeover sequence because acidic decomposition products can accelerate hydrolytic degradation. The material is not recommended for prolonged load-bearing service above 55 °C unless annealed or blended. Unmodified transparent PLA parts exposed to hot water above 60 °C may distort because the heat deflection temperature falls near the service limit. In applications requiring repeated dishwasher cycles or hot-fill conditions, the transparent PLA grade must be validated against the specific temperature and time profile of the filling or washing operation.
