Issue 04/2018

Blow moulding
No message in the bottle –
NaKu’s PLA bottle offers a responsible alternative
Established in 2007, Vienna, Austria-based NaKu has
garnered acclaim for its use of innovative technologies
in the development of sustainable packaging solutions.
NaKu launched its first plant-based bottle for exclusive
customers back in 2011 and has since built up extensive
experience in meeting the challenges regarding production,
filling and shelf life.
“Our NaKu bottle is now used by special customers, who
are breaking new ground in packaging solutions,” says
Johann Zimmermann, Managing Director of NaKu.
Conventional bottles claim to be made without harmful
substances such as phthalates, Bisphenol A (BPA), antimony
or endocrine disrupting substances. The NaKu bottle offers
all of that, but much more as well. As it is made from PLA,
the NaKu bottle is derived from 100 % renewable resources.
Its uniqueness is due to the main ingredient, lactic acid, a
natural compound that is also produced and metabolized
in the human body. Non-toxic and environmentally friendly,
lactic acid is naturally present in many foodstuffs, and
therefore also edible (E270, consumption without any limit
according to EFSA positive listing 2011).
The PLA used to produce the NaKu bottle is obtained from
sugar or starch. The bottle is about 10 times cheaper and 20
times lighter than comparable solutions made out of glass.
It is the ideal packaging material for still water, fruit
juices, smoothies and milk products as well as solid foods,
including pills, herbs, sweets, nutritional supplements and
much more. Even cosmetics may someday be packaged in
PLA packaging.
“For me as a (bio)plastics technician, it doesn’t matter
which kind of form I produce. Of course I am also able to
produce cans, container, basins, and bowls etc… whatever
you need for your product package,” asserts Johann
Zimmermann.
The NaKu bottle is fully biodegradable and can be
incinerated in a carbon neutral natural cycle. But PLA is
also recyclable, which is the preferred option for the NaKu
bottle in the future. However, until production of the bottles
reaches the critical volume needed to make recycling
commercially feasible , waste-to-energy incineration
remains, at least for now, the best end- of-life solution.
“Our aim is the use of natural plastics to design the next
generation of convenient products satisfying both economic
and ecologic requirements. Short transport distances and
local production is the key to keep this cycle as small as
possible,” Zimmermann says, thereby setting the bar high.
To meet this standard, the material must have a minimal
environmental impact and comply with the concept of
closed cycles (cradle to cradle). The properties of the
material used for the bottle are very similar to PET and it is
easy to process on conventional machines. Hence there is
no need to buy new equipment in order to produce the PLA
bottle. Due to the 7 % weight advantage, fewer transports
are required, and CO 2
emissions can be drastically reduced.
Further reduction in emissions – up to by 50 % - is possible
during the production process itself, as processing takes
place at lower temperatures and requires less energy. The
carbon footprint of these bottles is 75 % lower compared to
glass bottles.
16 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13