Vigilancia Tecnológica

The invention is a range of biobased and biodegradable compositions used as an additive to impart plasticization and toughness to polylactic acid (PLA) of all grades, forms, molecular weights or compositions thereof, when blended using any contemporary form of compounding techniques such as single and twin screw extrusion and batch mixing. It encompasses at least one lipid, one oxidizer, and optionally one acidifier. The plasticizer compositions encompass functional groups, which may represent the following but not limited to carboxyls, carbonyls, epoxides and anhydrides. Different tiers of the plasticizer compositions of the invention exhibit different levels of toughening and plasticizing efficacy on the polylactic acid polyesters and its resin compositions. The toughening and plasticizing effects of the invention on polylactic acid is observed from the multi-fold increase in tensile toughness, elongation at break and impact strength. This additive can alter the physical and mechanical properties of PLA, allowing its use in wider applications similar to those used for film, thermoforming, profile extrusion and injection molding applications, where environmental concerns are of key importance due to the effects hazardous and petroleum based additives, used to achieve similar properties of PLA, have on the environment during the end-of-life composting.