Microgreen Polymers is developing microcellular technology for food packaging

Microgreen Polymers, the US firm developing a new class of eco-friendly expanded plastics based on a microcellular technology, has completed a $2.4m (E2m) financing programme. The funds will be used to build a test production facility in Arlington, Virginia, expected to open in the first half of this year, which will make food packaging products for test marketing and will be available for tours by interested parties in the technology.

The company’s patented process, based on research carried out at the University of Washington, uses benign gases to improve the yield and performance of a range of widely thermoplastics – including the newest biopolymers such as PLA. A microwaveable hot beverage cup that insulates and is made from recycled PET at a price competitive to paper cups has already been demonstrated by the firm.

Microgreen has signed a joint development agreement with Alcoa on the process, which can be applied to both recycled and virgin PET. The microcellular process uses less material than normal thermoforming methods and according to the company can cut costs by 75% or more compared with a conventional solid polymer.