| HS Code | 567913 |
| Chemical Name | Poly(lactic acid) / Poly-L-lactide (PLLA) |
| Polymer Type | Semi-crystalline thermoplastic |
| L Isomer Content Percent | >99 |
| Compostability | Industrial compostable |
As an accredited Luminy Polylactic Acid (PLA) L105 factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | Luminy Polylactic Acid (PLA) L105 is packaged in 25 kg bags, palletized and shrink-wrapped for industrial transport. |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | Container Loading (20′ FCL): Luminy Polylactic Acid (PLA) L105 in 25 kg bags, palletized, loaded into a dry 20-foot container for export. |
| Shipping | Luminy Polylactic Acid (PLA) L105 ships as a non-hazardous, non-DG polymer resin. It is not regulated by DOT, IATA, or IMDG. Transport in sealed moisture-barrier bags or drums; store dry, cool, away from heat and direct sunlight. Avoid moisture exposure and static buildup. |
| Storage | Store Luminy Polylactic Acid (PLA) L105 in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, ideally below 30°C. Keep containers tightly closed to prevent moisture absorption. Protect from direct sunlight, heat, ignition sources, and strong oxidizers. Avoid humid conditions; use moisture-barrier packaging. Maintain clean, segregated storage away from incompatible materials. Observe shelf-life recommendations and dry resin before processing if needed. |
| Shelf Life | Typically 12 months when stored sealed in original packaging, cool, dry, away from moisture and sunlight. |
In multicavity tools running transparent thin-wall food-service articles, Luminy PLA L105 is converted as a neat or lightly additivated feedstock with cylinder temperatures between 185°C and 205°C and feed throat temperature below 45°C to prevent pellet bridging. Compliance for EU food contact rests on Regulation (EU) 10/2011 Article 12, which applies an overall migration limit of 10 mg/dm²; for industrially compostable articles, EN 13432:2000 requires at least 90% ultimate aerobic biodegradation within 180 days, 90% disintegration within 12 weeks, and ecotoxicity testing of the finished article. In the United States, food-contact status is established through the resin supplier’s Food Contact Notification rather than a single PLA-specific 21 CFR citation. A starting formulation used on production-scale rigid packaging lines contains 96.5–99.5 wt% Luminy PLA L105, 0.1–0.5 wt% slip/antiblock, 0.2–0.5 wt% nucleating agent, and 0.5–2.0 wt% tint masterbatch when color is specified. Pre-drying is carried out in a desiccant dryer with dew point below −40°C at 80°C for 4 h to reduce pellet moisture below 250 ppm; hydrolytic chain scission becomes measurable when moisture exceeds this threshold, producing brittleness and gate blush. Injection molding uses a general-purpose screw with L/D between 20:1 and 24:1, compression ratio 2.2:1–2.5:1, shut-off nozzle, mold temperature 15–40°C for amorphous clarity, injection velocity 150–250 mm/s, and back pressure 5–15 bar. Finished product types include transparent portion cups, cold beverage cups, single-serve dessert pots, condiment cups, and snap-fit lids for short-term refrigerated food service.
Sheet extrusion for thermoformed deli and produce packaging shifts the critical control point from melt temperature alone to the moisture load carried into the extruder, because PLA L105 hydrolyzes at elevated temperatures when residual water exceeds 300 ppm and the resulting viscosity loss narrows the thermoforming window. The compliance framework for EU food-contact sheet includes Regulation (EU) 10/2011 Article 12 overall migration limit of 10 mg/dm²; when the finished pack is marketed as industrially compostable, EN 13432:2000 applies to biodegradation, disintegration, and ecotoxicity. A sheet formulation typically contains 88–96 wt% Luminy PLA L105, 2–8 wt% biodegradable impact modifier, 0.3–1.0 wt% talc or PDLA nucleating agent, and 0.2–0.5 wt% processing aid; for high-clarity fresh produce punnets the impact modifier is held below 3 wt%, whereas bakery clamshells accept higher modifier loadings. Production is performed on a twin-screw extruder with L/D 30:1–36:1 and vacuum venting, equipped with a sheet die with adjustable restrictor bar and a polished three-roll stack maintained at 30–70°C; sheet thickness ranges from 0.2 mm to 1.2 mm. Thermoforming uses plug-assisted pressure forming with sheet surface temperature 85–110°C and mold temperature 90–110°C where crystallizing finishes are required; the window of sheet surface temperature is narrower than ±5°C when high-clarity amorphous rims must be retained. Finished product types include produce punnets, deli trays, bakery clamshells, egg trays, and vented chilled-food containers.
| Parameter | Standard or regulation | Relevant condition or limit |
|---|---|---|
| Overall migration, EU food contact | Regulation (EU) 10/2011 Article 12 | ≤ 10 mg/dm² |
| Aerobic biodegradation | EN 13432:2000 | ≥ 90% within 180 days |
| Disintegration | EN 13432:2000 Clause 5.2.2 | ≥ 90% within 12 weeks |
| Melt volume-flow rate | ISO 1133-1:2022 | 210 °C/2.16 kg as declared by supplier |
| Tensile properties | ISO 527-2 / ASTM D638-14 | Conditioned specimens per standard |
| Notched Izod impact | ISO 180 / ASTM D256 | Standard laboratory atmosphere |
| Heat deflection temperature | ISO 75-2 / ASTM D648 | Method A or B as specified |
For filament converted on continuous single-screw lines with melt pumps and dual-axis laser gauges, the controlling quality variable is melt-flow stability through the 0.4 mm nozzle rather than pellet compaction alone. The formulation used in filament extrusion contains 97.0–99.5 wt% Luminy PLA L105, 0.5–3.0 wt% pigment masterbatch, and 0.05–0.2 wt% melt stabilizer; carbonate or talc nucleating agents are generally avoided because they raise die pressure and can destabilize diameter control. Pellets are dried to below 250 ppm moisture in a desiccant dryer at 80°C for 4 h before entering a single-screw extruder with L/D 24:1–30:1, screen pack 60/80/60 mesh, and melt pump; the extrudate passes through a 45–65°C water quench, a two-stage air wipe, a laser diameter gauge, and a closed-loop haul-off. Diameter tolerance is held to ±0.03 mm for 1.75 mm feedstock and ±0.05 mm for 2.85 mm feedstock; ovality is controlled below 0.03 mm across the spool. Compliance for EU and North American industrial use is based on REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 Annex XVII restrictions, RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU only where the finished printed component is an electrical/electronic product, and ISO/ASTM 52900 terminology for additive manufacturing. Terminal finished product types include 1.75 mm and 2.85 mm filament spools used for FFF/FDM prototyping, jigs, fixtures, educational models, and non-structural production aids.
Heat-resistant PLA compounds based on Luminy PLA L105 use a nucleating package to shift crystallization from the slow post-molding stage to the mold cavity itself, so the finished article can tolerate short hot-fill or hot-food contact without exceeding the glass transition relaxation limit. The addition ratio for compounded heat-resistant grades contains 94–98 wt% Luminy PLA L105, 1–3 wt% selected talc or PDLA nucleating agent, 0.1–0.2 wt% antioxidant, and 0.2–0.5 wt% mold release where ejection force is a constraint. Compliance of the finished serviceware is usually evaluated under Regulation (EU) 10/2011 Article 12 with an overall migration limit of 10 mg/dm² for EU food contact and EN 13432:2000 for industrially compostable disposal; heat deflection temperature is measured according to ISO 75-2 or ASTM D648 at 0.45 MPa or 1.8 MPa as specified in the product specification. Production consists of twin-screw compounding at 190–210°C with screw L/D 36:1–44:1, strand or underwater pelletizing, and then injection molding using a screw L/D 22:1–26:1 and mold temperature 90–110°C to force near-complete crystallization in the cavity. The critical processing boundary is that mold temperature below 85°C leaves the HDT closer to amorphous values, while mold temperature above 115°C increases ejection deformation and can pull thin walls out of dimensional tolerance. Terminal finished product types include hot-beverage lids, disposable cutlery, coffee stirrers, and rigid trays for short-contact hot food service where the article is not exposed to oven or microwave conditions.
When Luminy PLA L105 is used in non-food injection molding for cosmetic packaging and consumer components, the measurable constraint is the shear-rate limit at gate land, not the ultimate tensile strength of the frozen part. The formulation typically contains 97.0–99.5 wt% Luminy PLA L105, 0.5–2.0 wt% color masterbatch, and 0.1–0.2 wt% external mold release; impact modifiers below 2 wt% are introduced only where snap-fit closures require higher notched Izod performance. Drying is performed in a hopper dryer or desiccant dryer to below 250 ppm residual moisture, and molding is carried out at melt temperature 190–210°C with mold temperature 15–40°C for a high-gloss amorphous surface. Thin-wall portions down to 0.8 mm require profiling of injection velocity to keep gate shear rate within a range that avoids jetting, silver streaking, and excessive molecular orientation; screw L/D 20:1–24:1, compression ratio 2.2:1–2.5:1, and clamp force calculated from projected area are used. Regulatory compliance is established through REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 Annex XVII, and RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU applies only when the component enters an electrical or electronic product; mechanical property conformity is checked using ISO 178 flexural, ISO 180 Izod, and ISO 527-2 tensile test methods. Terminal finished product types include cosmetic jars, caps, compact powder cases, stationery items, and non-food consumer components where industrial compostability is not a required claim.
In profile extrusion lines cutting rigid drinking straws, melt strength and vacuum calibration stability determine whether the hollow section remains round after leaving the annular die at line speeds between 5 m/min and 30 m/min. A rigid-straw formulation based on Luminy PLA L105 uses 90–96 wt% L105, 0.5–1.5 wt% nucleating agent, 0.1–0.3 wt% slip/antiblock, and 2–6 wt% biodegradable plasticizer only where EU 10/2011 specific migration constraints are met and the final straw remains cuttable without shattering. The production sequence includes desiccant drying at 80°C for 4 h to below 250 ppm moisture, single-screw extrusion with L/D 28:1–36:1, annular die with central air flow, vacuum sizing tank with cooling water at 20–40°C, haul-off, precision cutting to 150–210 mm lengths, and optional annealing at 80–100°C for 10–30 min to reduce residual stress. Compliance for EU food-contact straws is assessed under Regulation (EU) 10/2011 Article 12 overall migration limit of 10 mg/dm²; articles marketed as industrially compostable are tested to EN 13432:2000, while US FDA status is confirmed through the resin supplier’s Food Contact Notification. Terminal finished product types include rigid drinking straws, cocktail stirrers, and hollow profile cutlery intended for short-term cold-service use.
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Luminy Polylactic Acid (PLA) L105 is a semicrystalline poly(L-lactic acid) homopolymer supplied by TotalEnergies Corbion B.V. The grade is specified for extrusion, thermoforming, and selected injection moulding applications where crystallisable low-D stereochemistry is required. Supplier technical literature places the melt mass-flow rate for typical production lots in the 3–8 g/10 min range at 210°C and 2.16 kg according to ISO 1133-1:2022; batch-specific certificates of analysis should be used for release because absolute values shift with molecular weight distribution and residual moisture. Density is approximately 1.24 g/cm³ under ISO 1183-1:2019, and the melting endotherm is typically observed between 170°C and 178°C by ISO 11357-3:2018. The glass transition is reported in the 55–60°C range. These values align with a low-D-isomer PLA having a nominal D-lactide content below 1.5 mol%, which places L105 in the semicrystalline high-heat segment of the Luminy portfolio rather than in the amorphous high-D packaging segment.
| Parameter | Luminy PLA L105 class | Amorphous high-D PLA | Lower-viscosity injection PLA |
|---|---|---|---|
| D-lactide content | <1.5 mol% | >4 mol% | <1.5 mol% |
| Melt mass-flow rate ISO 1133-1:2022 at 210°C/2.16 kg | 3–8 g/10 min | 6–15 g/10 min | 15–30 g/10 min |
| Melting endotherm ISO 11357-3:2018 | 170–178°C | None / amorphous | 170–178°C |
| Heat deflection temperature after annealing ISO 75-2:2013 method B | >90°C | 55–60°C | >90°C |
The principal difference is not monomer source but stereochemical purity. Amorphous PLA grades with D-isomer content above 4 mol% exhibit random D-units that disrupt chain packing, suppress bulk crystallization, and hold heat deflection temperature under ISO 75-2:2013 method B near 55–60°C. In L105, annealing at 110–130°C develops crystallinity; representative data for semicrystalline low-D PLA report HDT B values exceeding 90°C after heat treatment. This shift is operationally significant for hot-fill lids, cutlery, coffee-cup accessories, and microwavable trays where amorphous PLA parts distort after short contact with hot liquids. Component-level testing according to ISO 75-2:2013 remains necessary because part thickness, filler type, and cooling rate change the crystalline gradient. Published data for L105 in complex injection-moulded geometries are limited; data from extruded sheet should not be directly transferred to thick-walled parts.
Tensile properties follow the same distinction. Semicrystalline PLA grades of this class are typically characterised by a tensile modulus in the 3.0–3.5 GPa range and a tensile strength at break between 45 MPa and 55 MPa under ISO 527-2:2012. Flexural modulus under ISO 178:2019 is commonly reported in the 3.2–3.8 GPa range, and notched Charpy impact under ISO 179-1:2010 is typically below 4 kJ/m². These values are class-level ranges for low-D PLA; release specifications for L105 must be read from the current technical data sheet and certificate of analysis.
Pre-drying is mandatory at ambient relative humidity above 40% RH. PLA undergoes hydrolytic chain scission when residual moisture exceeds 250 ppm at melt temperatures; ester linkages cleave, molecular weight falls, melt viscosity drops, and lactide monomers are generated. Production-scale desiccant dryers with closed-loop air at a dew point of −40°C or lower are used to dry pellets at 80°C for 4 h before extrusion or injection moulding. Hopper residence time is limited because dried PLA reabsorbs moisture from plant air; sealed hopper-loaders, nitrogen purge, or vacuum loaders reduce moisture uptake. Moisture is verified by Karl Fischer titration according to ISO 15512:2019. On production extrusion lines, wet-pellet incidents are observed as sheet surging, bubble formation, and melt strength collapse at the die. Exposure to uncontrolled humid air should be minimised after drying; hopper blankets with dry air are not a substitute for proper pre-drying.
On production-scale sheet lines, co-rotating twin-screw extruders with L/D between 30:1 and 40:1 are used for L105. Barrel settings typically begin at 160°C to 170°C in the rear zones and rise to 190°C to 200°C at the die. Melt temperature measured at the die should not exceed 230°C; extended residence above this threshold accelerates thermal degradation, shifts melt flow rate upward, and increases yellowing. Screw speed is balanced against throughput because shear heating can raise local melt temperature beyond the barrel setpoint. Filtration through screen packs of 100–250 µm removes gel particles. For injection moulding, barrel profiles between 170°C and 200°C, mould temperatures of 20–30°C for amorphous parts or 90–120°C for in-mould crystallisation, and injection speeds profiled for uniform melt-front velocity are common. Clamp force depends on part projected area and wall thickness; multicavity food-service tools may require 150–250 metric tons for thin-wall articles. Published data for L105 in highly filled systems are limited; filler addition above 10 wt% requires revalidation of melt flow, dispersion quality, and impact properties.
The low-melt-flow range of L105 contributes to higher melt strength than lower-viscosity injection grades. In sheet extrusion, melt strength controls sag resistance as the web leaves the die and enters the polishing stack. Lower-viscosity PLA grades with melt mass-flow rates above 15 g/10 min at 210°C/2.16 kg can thin excessively under their own weight, causing gauge variation and edge tearing. L105 is therefore selected when deeper-draw thermoforming, uniform wall thickness, and reduced sheet fibrillation are required. Thermoforming temperatures for L105 sheet are typically 90–120°C surface temperature, with plug-assisted forming used to redistribute material into corners. Differences from amorphous PLA become visible in cooling and trimming: semicrystalline sheet displays higher stiffness and can generate more knife wear in die cutting; blades with hardened steel or carbide edges are specified. Differences from lower-viscosity injection grades also appear in regrind retention. Extrusion and thermoforming regrind from L105 is dried and re-extruded at addition levels up to 20–30 wt% with virgin pellets; higher levels reduce melt consistency and increase gel defects unless melt filtration is enlarged.
Rheological measurement is recommended before regrind reintroduction. A shift in melt mass-flow rate greater than 15% from the virgin pellet value indicates hydrolytic or thermal degradation during the first conversion pass. Capillary rheometry under ISO 11443:2021 provides shear-viscosity curves at processing-relevant rates and is preferred over single-point MFR when sheet gauge control is critical. Melt strength differences are not fully captured by MFR; sag tests on the actual extrusion line are used to set die gap, draw ratio, and cooling roll speed.
Post-mould annealing becomes necessary when the part must carry load above the amorphous PLA heat deflection threshold. L105 parts produced in cold moulds are largely amorphous and exhibit HDT B values near 55–60°C under ISO 75-2:2013. Annealing at 110–130°C for 20–30 min increases crystallinity and raises HDT B above 90°C; however, dimensional shrinkage of 1–2% occurs during crystallisation, so fixtures are required to maintain flatness and hole registration. During annealing, parts heated too quickly may warp from thermal gradients; slow ramp rates of 2–5°C/min are used. This operation is not recommended for thick sections above 4 mm because internal crystallisation gradients create residual stress and dimensional variability. In-mould crystallisation with tool temperatures of 90–120°C can reduce post-mould annealing time but increases cycle time and demands hot-runner temperature uniformity. Published data for the exact crystallinity-dependent HDT of L105 in thick thermoformed parts are limited; part-specific validation should follow ISO 75-2:2013 or ASTM D648-18.
Because L105 is a condensation polyester, its moisture and oxygen barrier under high-humidity storage are lower than those of polyolefins and PET. The material is therefore not recommended for long-term liquid packaging without barrier coating or multilayer construction. Applications documented for L105-class semicrystalline PLA include extruded sheet for clear food-service articles, heat-set thermoformed containers, cutlery, and other single-use articles where hot-fill or short-warm-contact performance is specified. The grade is also used in mono-material PLA packaging structures to maintain industrial compostability under EN 13432:2000 when the entire structure meets the standard’s requirements. Food-contact compliance is application-specific; supplier regulatory statements for Luminy PLA grades reference European Union food-contact legislation and United States Food and Drug Administration requirements, but migration testing under Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 or applicable FDA conditions of use is required for finished articles. The material is incompatible with prolonged exposure to amines, strong alkalis, and high-moisture thermal cycling above 60°C unless the part is fully dried and crystallised. Operating limits should be confirmed with batch-specific certificates of analysis and the current manufacturer processing guide, because resin viscosity and crystallisation kinetics vary between production campaigns.
