ANAHEIM, CALIF. -- A partnership behind a modified polylactic acid compound anticipates approval from the Food and Drug Administration in April and a start of Tribio production by mid-2013.
Dai-Ichi Kogyo Seiyku Co. Ltd. of Tokyo developed the transparent heat-resistant microwavable PLA compound beginning in 2011 and applied for FDA approval in December 2012. Dai-Ichi has a North American distribution arrangement with its Tribio partner, Toyota Tsusho America Inc. of Southfield, Mich.
Dai-Ichi uses PLA from NatureWorks LLC of Minnetonka, Minn., and anticipates handling production through Premium Composite Technologies North America Inc. of Franklin, Ind.
Dai-Ichi said the premium-priced product can achieve thermal resistance while it retains the transparency of the original base materials.
The Tribio team discussed the plans at its booth in the WestPack trade show Feb. 12-14 in Anaheim.
