The innovation uses polylactic acid (PLA), a renewable resource derived polymer yet allow the use of existing infrastructures established for polystyrene moulding.
Such moulded biofoams are genuinely eco-friendly alternatives to expanded polystyrene (EPS) foams and can match and replace EPS in many key performance measures.
The foams can be designed as compostable and/or recyclable creating several end of life options all of which are more sustainable than landfill.
The process has been demonstrated on a commercial polystyrene moulding plant in NZ to prove that the concept is operable on real, existing manufacturing lines. This enhances cost-effectiveness and will help to overcome barriers to uptake which may otherwise have existed in major capital investment requirements.
The deliberate choice of a renewable biopolymer, with a safe renewable blowing agent and the ability to use existing processing plant all make for an eco-friendly and cost effective process. | 
