News

Accelerating Biodegradation: Enhancing Poly(lactic acid) Breakdown at Mesophilic Environmental Conditions with Biostimulants

Published on February 24, 2024
Including gelatin, skim milk, and ethyl lactate in the compost helps improve the protease activity and stimulates the activity of lactate utilizing microorganisms, thus improving the biodegradation rate of PLA at mesophilic temperatures.
Unlocking the secrets of high-water barrier stereocomplex polylactide blend extrusion films

Published on February 24, 2024
Stereocomplex polylactide (sc-PLA) films were produced without using a masterbatch, including varieties with PLLA/PDLA ratios of 85/15, 70/30, 50/50, and 30/70. Blended and annealed films show a reduced moisture barrier by a factor of 2.5 to 6.
Investment in top-ranked MSU School of Packaging will expand building, research

Published on February 2, 2024
The Michigan State University Board of Trustees today voted to authorize the planning of a major expansion to the MSU School of Packaging.
Liu Receives 2024 CANR Outstanding Up and Coming Alumni Award

Published on January 31, 2024
Austin Liu will receive the 2024 CANR Outstanding Up and Coming Alumni Award during the annual ANR Awards on Friday, March 1.
Lilly Donation Funds Critical Research through the MSU Distribution Consortium

Published on November 30, 2023
Lilly teams up with the Michigan State University School of Packaging to improve test and simulation methods by joining the MSU Distribution Consortium.
Hydrolytic Degradation of Poly(lactic acid): Unraveling Correlations between Temperature and the Three Phase Structures

Published on September 23, 2023
This work investigates the hydrolysis kinetics of PLA films as affected by the degree of crystallinity and temperatures by considering the three-phase model structures (i.e., mobile amorphous, rigid amorphous, and crystalline).
PPWR2: Optimizing Packaging Systems' Safety for Reuse and Recycling in Compliance with the New Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation

Published on September 11, 2023
The new PPWR is a cornerstone of the European Commission's Circular Economy Action Plan. All packaging in the EU will need to adapt to these regulations starting in 2025. Join us for the 2nd Symposium on Packaging Materials Supply Chain Safety.
PPWR2: Optimizing Packaging Systems' Safety for Reuse and Recycling in Compliance with the New Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation

Published on September 11, 2023
The new PPWR is a cornerstone of the European Commission's Circular Economy Action Plan. All packaging in the EU will need to adapt to these regulations starting in 2025. Join us for the 2nd Symposium on Packaging Materials Supply Chain Safety.
MSU School of Packaging researchers make a sustainable plastic more compostable

Published on August 4, 2023
Researchers led by Rafael Auras in the Michigan State University School of Packaging have shown how to make a bio-based polymer compostable in both home and industrial settings.
Breaking It Down: How Thermoplastic Starch Enhances Poly(lactic acid) Biodegradation in Compost─A Comparative Analysis of Reactive Blends

Published on June 29, 2023
Blending PLA with thermoplastic starch promotes sustainable biodegradation of PLA under mesophilic and thermophilic conditions without creating microplastics.