NatureWorks, a prime producer of polylactic acid (PLA) biopolymers derived from renewable resources, has made a compostable coffee pod remedy suitable for use with Keurig® brewers in the North American market. This accomplishment was produced possible by a partnership with IMA Coffee, a world-wide chief in coffee handling, processing, and packaging technologies. The answer offers excellent brewing effectiveness, can be manufactured at professional speeds comparable to present choices, and is made utilizing eco-helpful, biodegradable materials.
Combining NatureWorks’ know-how in processing PLA biopolymer with IMA Coffee’s proficiency in processing and packaging systems, the partnership formulated a compostable espresso pod alternative and offer chain. For the rigid capsule entire body, NatureWorks was equipped to mix non-compounded, extremely crystalline, and heat resistant Ingeo PLA grades with a refined single-phase thermoforming process to achieve creation rates similar to incumbent polypropylene (PP) capsules. The rigid thermoformed capsule was then merged with a nonwoven filter and multi-layer top rated lidding alternative also produced with Ingeo.