| HS Code | 283030 |
| Material Type | Polylactic Acid (PLA) |
| Grade | PLI 013 |
| Appearance | Transparent |
| Compostability | Compostable (EN 13432) |
| Biobased Content | Approx. 100% biobased |
| Density | Approx. 1.25 g/cm³ |
| Melt Flow Index | Approx. 10-20 g/10 min (190°C/2.16 kg) |
| Melting Temperature | Approx. 170-180°C |
| Glass Transition Temperature | Approx. 55-60°C |
| Heat Deflection Temperature | Approx. 100-120°C |
| Tensile Strength | Approx. 50-70 MPa |
| Tensile Modulus | Approx. 3500-4000 MPa |
| Elongation At Break | Approx. 2-5% |
| Notched Izod Impact Strength | Approx. 2-3 kJ/m² |
| Processing Method | Injection Molding |
As an accredited Natureplast PLI 013 High Temperature Transparent Compostable 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 foil bags, palletized, protecting Natureplast PLI 013 high-temperature transparent compostable polylactic acid pellets. |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | 20′ FCL container loading: Natureplast PLI 013 High Temperature Transparent Compostable Polylactic Acid in 25-kg bags, palletized and securely stowed. |
| Shipping | Natureplast PLI 013 High Temperature Transparent Compostable Polylactic Acid is shipped as non-hazardous, moisture-sensitive resin pellets in sealed bags, lined cartons, or bulk containers. It is not regulated for DOT, IMDG, or IATA transport; no UN number, hazard class, or packing group applies. Keep cool, dry, and clean. |
| Storage | Store Natureplast PLI 013 in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight, heat, and ignition sources. Keep containers sealed to prevent moisture absorption, which can degrade the polyester. Maintain temperatures below 30°C and low humidity. Avoid contact with strong oxidizers, acids, or bases. Use first-in, first-out stock rotation, follow supplier shelf-life guidance, and always keep in original packaging. |
| Shelf Life | Natureplast PLI 013 shelf life is typically 12 months when stored unopened in cool, dry conditions, away from moisture and heat. |
In high-cavitation hot beverage lid tooling, PLI 013 is processed as a transparent PLA with the melt profile held at 190–210°C at the nozzle and a reciprocating screw diameter of 30–50 mm. For 16–32 cavity lid molds with cold runner diameters of 2.0–3.5 mm, clamp force requirements typically fall in the 1,500–3,500 kN range; injection velocity is set between 80 and 140 mm/s and hold pressure between 600 and 900 bar. Mold temperature is held at 95–110°C to promote crystallization during filling, which lifts heat deflection temperature above 90°C when tested under ASTM D648 Method B. Industry compliance for hot aqueous and fatty food contact is verified under EU Regulation (EC) No 10/2011 as amended, with overall migration below 10 mg/dm², and industrial compostability is assessed to EN 13432:2000 and ASTM D6400-21. The formulation addition ratio uses 98.0–99.5 wt% PLI 013 with 0.5–2.0 wt% ester-based slip/antiblock masterbatch; additional external nucleation is omitted because the hot mold delivers sufficient crystallinity. Pre-drying is carried out at 80°C for 4–6 h with desiccant-bed air below −30°C dew point until residual moisture drops below 250 ppm. The terminal article is a transparent compostable lid with undercut latching tabs for hot coffee and tea cups; short-term contact up to 85°C is mechanically tolerated, but continuous immersion above 60°C or steam-table humidity above 90°C for more than 15 min accelerates hydrolytic chain scission and is outside the validated processing envelope.
| Standard or regulation | Application boundary | Key verification endpoint |
|---|---|---|
| EN 13432:2000 | Industrial compostability of final packaging components | ≥90% disintegration after 12 weeks; ≥90% biodegradation within 180 days |
| ASTM D6400-21 | U.S. aerobic municipal and industrial composting | ≥90% conversion to CO₂ within 180 days; heavy-metal limits per 40 CFR 503.13 |
| ISO 17088:2021 | Global specification for compostable plastics | Same biodegradation, disintegration, and ecotoxicity criteria as EN 13432:2000 |
| EU Regulation (EC) No 10/2011 | Plastic food-contact materials in the EU | Overall migration <10 mg/dm²; specific migration limits for authorized monomers |
| FDA FCN 000178 | U.S. PLA food-contact clearance where applicable | Article-specific conditions of use must be verified by the converter |
| REACH 1907/2006 | EU chemical registration and SVHC screening | No substances of very high concern at ≥0.1 wt% |
Sheet extrusion and roll-fed thermoforming of PLI 013 require control of intrinsic viscosity and edge-trim regrind to prevent uneven wall thickness and localized haze. Industry compliance for hot-fill transparent containers is assessed under EU Regulation (EC) No 10/2011, EN 13432:2000, and ISO 17088:2021; the final article is considered suitable for aqueous and acidic food contact only after migration testing on the formed part, not solely on pellet. The formulation addition ratio is 80–100 wt% virgin PLI 013 with 0–20 wt% clean post-industrial sheet regrind; when regrind exceeds 15 wt%, intrinsic viscosity measured per ISO 1628-1 should remain above 1.20 dL/g to avoid a measurable drop in falling-dart impact strength per ASTM D1709. Downstream processing uses a single-screw extruder with 30:1–36:1 L/D, barrier feed section, static melt pump, 40–60 μm screen filtration, and a sheet die with adjustable flex lip; roll stack temperature is maintained at 40–60°C to freeze transparency while avoiding over-crystallization. The sheet, at 300–800 μm thickness, is thermoformed at 90–125°C using plug-assist aluminum tooling and in-line trim recovery. Terminal finished products are transparent round cups, trays, and punnets for prepared foods and hot-fill beverages up to 80°C. Regrind ratios above 20 wt% produce yellowing, reduced dart impact, and higher gel counts during sheet extrusion; therefore the material is not specified for high-crush stack-load packaging or retort conditions above 100°C.
Because transparent cosmetic packaging made from PLI 013 enters repeated skin-contact environments, compliance is screened under REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 and ISO 22715:2006; the addition ratio is 97.0–100 wt% PLI 013 with 0.1–0.5 wt% internal lubricant, and molding proceeds on 600–1,500 kN injection machines with mold temperature 80–100°C. The terminal article is a transparent airless jar, overcap, or lipstick sleeve; ethanol above 30% w/w and ketone-based purging agents induce stress cracking and must be avoided.
At the injection unit, single-serve coffee pod bases and rings made from PLI 013 are exposed to brew-head temperatures that exceed the glass transition of amorphous PLA unless the tool is held above 95°C to build crystallinity. The industry compliance standard for hot aqueous food contact is EU Regulation (EC) No 10/2011 as amended, with specific attention to hot-fill and brew-water extractables; industrial compostability is certified to EN 13432:2000, ASTM D6400-21, and ISO 17088:2021, while U.S. converters must verify current FDA FCN 000178 conditions of use for the chosen PLA grade. The formulation addition ratio is 95.0–100 wt% PLI 013 with 0.2–0.8 wt% food-contact slip additive and optional tint masterbatch at 0–1.5 wt%; external nucleating masterbatch is not used because the high mold temperature provides the required crystallization rate. The downstream process is high-speed injection molding on 1,000–2,500 kN clamp machines with 8–16 cavity hot runner valve-gate tools, a barrel melt profile of 190–215°C, mold temperature 95–110°C, and cycle time 15–24 s for part weights of 3.5–6.0 g. The terminal finished product is a transparent or lightly tinted compostable coffee pod body or ring that is heat-sealed to a compostable lidding film. The operational boundary is defined by brew-chamber pressure: exposure above 15 bar and 95°C for more than 30 s per cycle is not recommended because creep and hydrolysis start to reduce part stiffness during extraction.
A transparent dry-food deli container moving from oriented polystyrene to PLI 013 forces rebalancing of the injection molding sequence for narrower thermal stability and lower melt elasticity. Compliance is established under EU Regulation (EC) No 10/2011 and EN 13432:2000; the formulation addition ratio is 90–100 wt% PLI 013 with 0–5 wt% mineral filler for ribbed bases and 0.2–0.5 wt% slip agent for clear lids. Processing uses 1,200–2,000 kN clamp force, melt temperature 195–215°C, and mold temperature 90–105°C; the terminal products are rectangular dry-food storage boxes and deli containers with snap-on transparent lids, but microwave reheating above 70°C is excluded.
Monofilament extrusion of PLI 013 for fused filament fabrication is carried out on a single-screw extruder with 20–25 mm barrel diameter and 24:1 L/D, using a melt temperature of 185–205°C at the die. Pellets are pre-dried at 60–80°C for 4–6 h to residual moisture below 250 ppm before extrusion. The formulation addition ratio is 97–100 wt% PLI 013 with 0–3 wt% masterbatch for transparent or opaque color; no plasticizer is added because it depresses heat deflection temperature below the 90°C target after annealing. Filament diameter is maintained at 1.75±0.03 mm or 2.85±0.05 mm through closed-loop laser gauge control and dual-axis tolerance; spool winding tension is kept below 0.2 N to prevent ovality. Compliance is covered by REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 and EN 13432:2000 for industrial compostability of waste print artifacts; food-contact status is not claimed on printed parts unless migration testing under EU Regulation (EC) No 10/2011 is completed on the finished printed article, not on the filament alone. Terminal products are rigid, transparent FFF filament spools used for prototyping and non-food packaging mock-ups; printing at nozzle temperatures of 210–230°C with a heated bed at 50–60°C and an enclosed chamber at 35–40°C reduces warping in thin-walled transparent parts. Published data for this specific PLI 013 configuration in filament extrusion is limited; the above ranges reflect PLA filament processing thresholds and must be confirmed on the converter’s laser micrometer line.
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Natureplast PLI 013 is a polylactic acid grade positioned for rigid, transparent applications in which industrial compostability and elevated thermal resistance are required simultaneously. The grade is derived from lactide ring-opening polymerisation and carries a high-temperature transparent designation that distinguishes it from unmodified amorphous PLA. Published data for this specific configuration is limited in public technical repositories; converter validation should therefore be based on the supplier lot certificate and the processing limitations described below. Typical conversion routes include injection moulding of thin-wall lids, trays, blister packs, caps and personal-care components, as well as extrusion of sheet for subsequent thermoforming. Because the material is a polyester, moisture management and controlled crystallisation govern both processing stability and final part performance.
Residual moisture is the dominant source of processing instability in high-temperature PLA. Hydrolysis of ester linkages at melt temperatures reduces molecular weight, increases melt flow rate, and generates surface splay, bubbles and brittle weld lines. Production-scale desiccant drying should reduce pellet moisture to below 250 ppm before melt processing. Typical dryer settings are 80 °C for 4 h to 6 h at a dew point of −40 °C or lower. Extended hopper residence time at drying temperature can cause pellet bridging and discolouration, particularly if the grade contains nucleation aids or chain extenders.
Moisture content should be measured at the dryer outlet rather than only at the inlet because pellet surface moisture and internal moisture equilibrate differently. A Karl Fischer titration according to ISO 15512 or an equivalent online sensor provides the necessary verification. Melt residence time should be kept below 5 min from plastication to injection; longer residence at high temperature accelerates hydrolysis even if the initial moisture level is acceptable. For production lines with frequent interruptions, purging with a dried, low-melt-flow-rate PLA or a dedicated purge compound is preferable to shutting down with material in the barrel because residual molten polymer degrades and causes black specks on restart.
Barrel temperature selection is constrained by thermal degradation on one side and by incomplete melting or premature solidification on the other. For high-temperature transparent PLA compounds, melt processing may be conducted with barrel set points from 180 °C to 220 °C; the exact profile for PLI 013 should be taken from the supplier lot certificate. Lower melt temperatures preserve clarity and reduce acetaldehyde generation, while higher temperatures improve flow length but may increase yellowing and reduce impact strength. A melt flow evaluation according to ISO 1133-1:2022 provides a practical check of polymer degradation before production. High shear from aggressive screw designs is undesirable; a general-purpose three-zone screw with an L/D ratio of at least 24:1 and a compression ratio from 2.0:1 to 3.0:1 is typical. A back pressure of 5 bar to 10 bar is often sufficient for homogeneous melt and nucleator dispersion, whereas higher back pressure extends residence time and can accelerate molecular weight loss.
In extrusion of PLA sheet or profile, a two-stage or vented screw with low to moderate shear and a melt pump is preferred because PLA melt strength is lower than that of polyolefins. Overheating at the die lip or in stagnant manifold channels can generate gel particles that reduce optical quality. All downstream components should be purged with a purge compound that does not require prolonged temperatures above 230 °C unless the supplier confirms short-term thermal stability. Capillary rheometry according to ISO 11443 can identify the shear-thinning region and support gate and runner sizing. Regrind usage is possible but should be restricted because repeated melt processing reduces molecular weight and increases acid content. A maximum addition of 20 % to 30 % clean regrind is commonly evaluated, but only if the regrind is dried under identical conditions and the resulting melt flow rate remains within the production control range. Use of post-industrial regrind from high-temperature PLA can also accelerate crystallisation because it already contains nucleated material; this can reduce cycle time but may increase haze.
Injection mould temperature is the main lever for obtaining heat resistance in high-temperature transparent PLA. Mould temperatures between 80 °C and 110 °C promote crystallite nucleation and growth, raising the service temperature of the part. A mould temperature below 60 °C freezes the material in a largely amorphous state, which improves transparency but lowers heat deflection performance. Thin-wall parts below 1.5 mm can retain useful clarity even at elevated mould temperatures, but thicker sections may become hazy. Fill speeds of 0.3 s to 1.0 s are common for thin-wall cavities; dwell pressure should be minimised to prevent residual orientation and post-mould distortion. Cooling time may need to be extended by 20 % to 60 % compared with amorphous PLA to allow sufficient crystallinity and dimensional stability. Hot runner systems for PLI 013 should avoid dead spots and should use externally heated manifolds with tight temperature control because crystallinity kinetics are sensitive to local thermal history.
Cold runner systems are possible but should be designed with generous runner diameters and heated sprue bushings. Because high-temperature PLA crystallises quickly at mould temperatures above 80 °C, solidification in the runner can occur before the gate freeze, causing short shots or gate-stringing. Valve-gated hot runners reduce this issue but require tight temperature control because nucleator degradation in hot runner dead zones can produce brown streaks. Mould release agents should be avoided unless their compatibility with compostability and food-contact certifications is documented; if external release is necessary, food-grade silicone-free release agents are generally preferred. Part ejection should be delayed until the surface skin is sufficiently strong; premature ejection causes bending at thin walls because the semi-crystalline skin is still soft.
The heat deflection temperature of PLA is strongly dependent on the measurement condition and the level of crystallinity. Amorphous PLA typically exhibits an HDT-B value near 55 °C under 0.45 MPa, while semi-crystalline high-heat PLA can reach 85 °C to 100 °C after mould-temperature control or annealing. The more severe 1.8 MPa condition will produce lower values and should not be substituted for the 0.45 MPa value. PLI 013 may report heat deflection data according to ISO 75-2/B and ISO 75-2/A; actual lot values must be verified from the certificate because additives and d-lactide content shift crystallisation kinetics.
The glass transition temperature of PLA is typically between 55 °C and 60 °C. This value represents the lower bound for dimensional stability in amorphous domains. Even after crystallisation, parts can soften if a substantial amorphous phase remains, especially when the service load is constant or the part thickness is large. Service temperatures above the glass transition require sufficient crystallinity and low applied stress; otherwise creep can occur even if the heat deflection test reports an elevated value.
Optical clarity is generally quantified by total luminous transmittance and haze using ISO 13468-1 and ISO 14782. Transparent PLA can exhibit total transmittance above 90 % on polished 2 mm plaques when amorphous, with haze below 5 %. Annealing or high mould temperatures raise haze above 10 % in many formulations, which is the central trade-off between thermal resistance and glass-like clarity. PLI 013 is formulated to reduce this haze penalty through nucleation control, but users should quantify haze on production-scale parts rather than laboratory plaques.
Differential scanning calorimetry according to ISO 11357-2 and ISO 11357-3 provides the glass transition, cold crystallisation and melting behaviour needed to design cooling and annealing steps. A cooling scan at 10 °C/min can reveal the crystallisation maximum; isothermal half-times derived at the intended mould temperature are more relevant to cycle time. If the cold crystallisation peak is close to the service temperature, dimensional stability may be insufficient unless the part is fully crystallised during moulding.
The compostability claim attached to PLI 013 must be considered in the context of industrial composting infrastructure. Certification under EN 13432 generally requires that the organic carbon of the material be converted by at least 90 % within 180 days, that the matrix disintegrates into particles smaller than 2 mm within 12 weeks, and that the resulting compost does not exhibit ecotoxicity. A similar end-of-life evaluation is provided by ASTM D6400. These requirements do not equate to home compostability, marine biodegradation, or rapid breakdown in uncontrolled soil environments. The crystallised and nucleated structure that gives PLI 013 its high-temperature resistance can reduce the early hydrolysis rate at ambient temperature; thick parts and highly crystallised regions may require longer disintegration under thermophilic conditions.
For food-contact use, the converter must obtain the supplier's declaration of compliance under EU 10/2011 or the relevant national code and conduct migration testing under the intended food simulant and temperature according to EN 1186-1. High-temperature additives such as nucleating agents, transesterification catalysts and chain extenders must be supported by positive-list documentation where local law requires. Food-contact approval for the base polymer does not automatically cover all modified high-temperature grades, particularly if the nucleating package or thermal stabiliser differs from the approved formulation.
Selection between PLI 013 and unmodified PLA is governed primarily by the required heat deflection temperature and the acceptable haze level. Standard amorphous PLA is limited to cold-fill and low-temperature transport unless it is annealed, while high-temperature transparent PLA is intended to survive hot-fill, summer transport and indirect heat exposure without losing industrial compostability. Compared with PBAT or starch-based compostable materials, high-temperature PLA offers higher modulus and surface hardness but lower elongation and impact resistance. Compared with PHA, the processing window may be wider and cost may be lower, but thermal and barrier properties can vary among grades. Compared with transparent PET, PLI 013 offers industrial compostability and, depending on the life-cycle inventory and allocation under ISO 14040/ISO 14044, may show a lower fossil carbon intensity, but it generally has lower oxygen and moisture barrier and lower inherent heat resistance unless crystallised adequately.
| Property | Amorphous PLA | High-temperature transparent PLA such as PLI 013 | PET | PBAT blend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength (ISO 527-2) | 60 MPa | 55–70 MPa | 50–60 MPa | 15–25 MPa |
| HDT-B at 0.45 MPa (ISO 75-2/B) | 50–60 °C | 85–100 °C | 70–80 °C | 35–50 °C |
| Density | 1.24 g/cm³ | 1.24–1.28 g/cm³ | 1.34 g/cm³ | 1.20–1.25 g/cm³ |
| Industrial compostability | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Optical clarity | High | Moderate to high | High | Low |
Oxygen permeability is another differentiator when evaluating PLI 013 against conventional transparent polymers. PLA has lower oxygen permeability than polystyrene in many dry conditions but higher permeability than PET. This restricts the use of PLI 013 in oxygen-sensitive food packaging unless a barrier coating, multilayer structure or additive package is incorporated. Moisture vapour transmission through PLA is also higher than that of PET, which can be beneficial for condensation control in fresh produce but disadvantageous for low-moisture shelf-stable products.
Injection-moulded transparent lids and shallow trays are the most common application zone for high-temperature transparent PLA. The material is suited to parts in which dimensional stability is required during hot filling up to 80 °C or during short-term contact with warm food, provided that the part has been crystallised and the mechanical load is low. Cosmetic packs, disposable cutlery handles, transparent cups and component housings can also be produced, but the design must account for brittleness and limited impact resistance. In all cases, gate design should avoid high shear at the gate because localised heating can produce haze streaks and reduce molecular weight. Direct edge gates, fan gates or tab gates are generally preferred for transparent parts; tunnel gates may be acceptable if the gate cross-section is minimised and injection speed is controlled. Annealing of moulded parts at 80 °C to 100 °C for 30 min to 90 min can further increase crystallinity and heat resistance, but it may also reduce clarity and increase dimensional change. Processors should qualify lot-to-lot variations in melt flow rate, optical purity and nucleator content before high-volume production because small changes in those parameters can shift the processing window by several degrees.
