Pionneering PLA content in yoghurt pots
Stonyfield and Clear Lam were recognised after the yoghurt container was judged to have “broken significant barriers for a breakthrough use of PLA (polylactic acid) in a high-volume dairy application”.
The new form-fill-seal multipack yogurt cups are made of 93 percent PLA, a switch from polystyrene (HIPS), believed to be the first for this market.
The PLA is made by Natureworks and results in 48 percent lower greenhouse gas emissions vs. HIPS.
Compression strength is increased by 15-20 per cent, resulting in fewer damaged products during transit. Stonyfield also overcame the difficult challenge of applying a good lidding seal to a PLA cup, as the lidding film needs to withstand heat during application.