TotalEnergies Corbion Launches Luminy® FOAM 50F for Foamed Food Packaging Applications

TotalEnergies Corbion has announced the commercial launch of Luminy® FOAM 50F, a high melt strength PLA grade developed for extrusion foamed packaging applications. Designed for fresh food trays, including meat and fish packaging, as well as food service formats such as clamshells and bowls, the material offers the performance of conventional extruded polystyrene (XPS) while providing a lower-carbon, circular alternative.

The launch comes as packaging producers face growing regulatory pressure to move away from polystyrene in food-contact applications. With restrictions expanding across global markets, demand is increasing for solutions that combine sustainability benefits with industrial-scale performance. Luminy® FOAM 50F addresses this need with a bio-based, industrially compostable material that can be processed on existing XPS extrusion lines with minimal modifications, enabling a seamless transition from conventional polystyrene.

“With polystyrene bans accelerating, this is one of the first solutions positioned as a true industrial-scale replacement, not a niche material” said Laurent Daligault, Global Packaging Segment Leader at TotalEnergies Corbion. “Luminy® FOAM 50F enables converters and brand owners to adopt a truly sustainable drop-in solution to XPS, both in terms of processing and product functionality. It is also good for our planet, with our sugarcane-based PLA delivering at least a 70% reduction in carbon footprint compared to XPS foam parts. We look forward to supporting our customers globally, both commercially and technically, as they advance their sustainability ambitions.”

Luminy® FOAM 50F combines performance and environmental benefits that have traditionally been difficult to achieve in foamed PLA packaging. The material offers density and functional characteristics comparable to XPS while maintaining efficient processing on standard equipment. It is bio-based, industrially compostable, recyclable, and free from styrene, PFAS, and persistent microplastics.

Its high melt strength enables stable foam production without the need for additional additives, chain extenders, or reactive processing technologies. This allows manufacturers to produce low-density foam structures with uniform cell morphology, meeting the demanding performance requirements of applications such as fresh protein packaging.

“This development reflects our commitment to sustainable innovation,” said Hao Ding, Global Marketing Director at TotalEnergies Corbion. “We remain focused on developing high-performance materials that deliver value for customers while reducing environmental impact.”

Luminy® FOAM 50F is now available globally for commercial orders. The material has received FDA and Korean food-contact approvals and can be used in markets that recognise these regulatory frameworks. For other regions, it is currently available for non-food applications. TotalEnergies Corbion also provides technical support to help customers implement the material successfully in their production processes.

Source: totalenergies-corbion.com