The VTT Technology Research Center in Finland is developing an inexpensive and environmentally friendly alternative to polystyrene expanded plastic (EPS) using the bioplastic polylactic acid, and is looking for project partners.
VTT is researching the foaming molding method of bioplastics, producing granules through conventional methods in the foamed PS production process, which can be further processed into insulation boards and other products.
Although other PLA foaming methods already exist in the industry, they are costly. VTT hoped to find a new process that could rival expanded polystyrene in price and performance.
The world's annual EPS production reaches 6 million tons, VTT said most of which are landfilled or incinerated, producing harmful compounds.
The VTT program tends more toward industrial processing in its development work, shifting from laboratory research to factory testing.
The company is currently looking to establish partnerships with existing EPS producers.
The company will look for new and more efficient production methods to reduce production costs. VTT is also developing an extrusion-foaming-based PLA production process aimed at replacing EPS in transportation and packaging applications.