Description

Omya Smartfill improves the performance of biopolymers, eliminating detrimental hydrolysis in extrusion.

Polylactic Acid (PLA) and Polyhydroxyalkanoate polymers (PHAs) will degrade in extrusion if the moisture content is
too high. Mineral fillers are usually hygroscopic and carry some moisture, causing polymer chain degradation in the
extrusion of hydrolysis-sensitive polymers.

To prevent this reaction, Omya has developed an innovative surface modification for Calcium Carbonate that
reduces polymer degradation to an insignificant level.
Using Omya Smartfill in PLA at filler loads up to 40% significantly increases stiffness as expected,
while unusually and dramatically improving toughness, elongation, and impact resistance. Omya Smartfill also
reduces formulation cost and improves heat transfer for a faster cooling process.

Various bioplastics blends are common. For example, often PLA and PHA are blended with Polybutylene
Adipate Terephthalate (PBAT) or thermoplastic starch. In such cases, Omya Smartfill is also the right choice when conventional Calcium Carbonate will lead to hydrolyses in production.
Omya Smartfill is supplied as a powder and needs to be pre-dispersed in a compound before being used on
conventional single screw extrusion lines. Omya Smartfill fulfills the most common regulations for Ecotoxicity and
can be used for compostable products with filler loads up to 40%. Natural Calcium Carbonate like Omya Smartfill
is considered a renewable material because the replenishment rate of Calcium Carbonate from natural processes far
exceeds the consumption, making it a renewable material according to ISO 14021.

Benefits

10 – 40% Omya Smartfill in PLA
· Increases stiffness
· Increases impact resistance
· Increases elongation
· Increases opacity
· Reduces formulation costs
· Improves heat transfer (heating/ cooling)