Luminy PLA Bioplastics and PLA Foam

TotalEnergies Corbion is a joint venture of TotalEnergies and Corbion that produces Luminy PLA bioplastics from certified sugarcane grown in Thailand. Its aim is to give packaging and product makers a biobased resin that is recyclable and industrially compostable, with a lower carbon footprint than conventional plastics.

Luminy PLA grades are converted by standard processes into flexible packaging, rigid packaging, food serviceware, fibers and nonwovens, durable goods and 3D printing filament. In July 2026 the company introduced Luminy FOAM 50F, a high melt strength grade for extrusion-foamed fresh food trays, clamshells and bowls that runs on existing XPS extrusion lines with minimal modification. It also offers Luminy L040 for air and water filtration. Customers are converters and brand owners in packaging and consumer goods.

• Luminy PLA resins: sugarcane-based PLA grades for packaging and durable goods.
• FOAM 50F: high melt strength PLA for extruded foam trays and clamshells as an XPS replacement.
• Flexible and rigid packaging grades: resins for films, cups, containers and thermoformed trays.
• Food serviceware: grades for cutlery, lids and takeaway containers.
• Luminy L040: PLA grade for high-efficiency air and water filtration media.
• End-of-life options: recyclable and industrially compostable, with closed-loop recycling demonstrated in the ReBioCycle project.

Seafood and meat processors in Vietnam can replace polystyrene foam trays with PLA foam trays for supermarket and export packaging. Takeaway container makers can use Luminy PLA for clamshells, cups and lids. Filter media producers can evaluate Luminy L040 for air and water filtration products.

The company states Luminy PLA has an 85% lower carbon footprint than conventional plastics, and its 2025 LCA shows at least 70% lower footprint for FOAM 50F versus XPS foam parts. FOAM 50F is free from styrene, PFAS and persistent microplastics and has FDA and Korean food contact approval. Converters can switch from polystyrene foam using existing extrusion equipment.

Expanded polystyrene and XPS food containers are being restricted in many markets, and EU packaging rules are raising requirements on recyclability and substances such as PFAS. Asian food processors and retailers supplying export markets need foam tray alternatives that run on existing lines, and Thai-made PLA gives ASEAN converters a nearby source.

Joint venture of TotalEnergies and Corbion; FOAM 50F announcement datelined Gorinchem, Netherlands. PLA is produced from certified sugarcane grown in Thailand. Certification logos shown on the site include Bonsucro, BPI, industrial compostability and USDA biobased. Received a Thailand safety award in 2026.