bioplasticsMAGAZINE_0903

Rigid Packaging
Study Confirms
Lifecycle Advantages
of PLA over rPET
A
first-of-its-kind lifecycle analysis finds that clamshell
packaging made from NatureWorks‘ Ingeo
(PLA), emits fewer greenhouse gases and uses less
energy when compared to clamshells manufactured with
petroleum-based rPET (recycled polyethylene terephthalate).
The Institute for Energy and Environmental Research
(IFEU), Heidelberg, Germany, conducted the head-tohead
lifecycle comparison on more than 40 different
combinations of clamshell packaging made from Ingeo
PLA, PET, and rPET. Both PLA and rPET clamshells
outperformed PET packaging in terms of lower overall
greenhouse gas emissions and lower overall energy
consumed. PLA clamshells clearly offered further
advantages over the petroleum-based rPET in numerous
comparisons.
“Brand owners and converters will lower the carbon
and energy footprint of clamshell packaging by moving
away from PET and rPET to Ingeo polymer,” said Marc
Verbruggen, president and CEO of NatureWorks, the
manufacturer of Ingeo. “This is true with today’s virgin Ingeo
and, in the longer term, recycled Ingeo will decrease that
footprint even more. Furthermore, the high performance
of Ingeo biopolymer in clamshell applications means that
less material may be required to manufacture them — on
average 2 percent less.”
Representative results of the lifecycle analysis
The study showed that clamshell packaging consisting
of 100 percent rPET emitted 2. kilograms of CO 2
equivalents per 1,000 clamshells over its complete life
cycle. PLA clamshells emitted even less, with 1.
kilograms CO 2
equivalents per 1,000 clamshells. The PLA
clamshell was lighter, yet functionally equivalent in terms
of top-load strength.
“The study found that Ingeo compares favorably with
rPET even when a producer chooses not to lightweight
a clamshell,” said Steve Davies, NatureWorks director
of Communications and Public Affairs. “The study also
showed that the next generation Ingeo production process,
now online in 2009, offers further improvements in ecoprofile
and clearly outperforms 100 percent rPET in headto-head
comparisons.”
Clear plastic clamshells, like the ones analyzed in
the study, are often used for fresh produce and foodservice
packaging — for example, lettuce, tomatoes, sandwiches,
or deli salads. Currently this packaging is not recycled in
either the U.S. or Europe. In the U.S. clamshell packaging
typically goes to landfills after use, while in Europe this
packaging may be incinerated for waste-heat recovery.
The lifecycle study took both end-of-life scenarios into
account. The complete IFEU lifecycle analysis is available
at www.natureworksllc.com/our-values-and-views/ingeovs-rpet.aspx
kg CO 2
eq. / 1000 clamshells
www.natureworksllc.com
www.ifeu.de
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
Climate Change
62.7 61.7
Non Renewable Energy
0.88
0.72
1.4
1.2
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
GJ / 1000 clamshells
Energy consumed over the lifecycle for 100 percent rPET
clamshells was 0.88 GJ. This compared to 0.2 GJ for the
lighter, yet functionally equivalent, Ingeo 200 packaging
— an overall 18 percent reduction in energy consumed.
0
100%
rPET
Ingeo Eco-Profile
in 2005
100%
rPET
Incineration with Heat Recovery Scenario
Ingeo Eco-Profile
in 2005
0
bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/09] Vol. 4 19