According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 99% of the earth’s population breathes air that exceeds its pollution limit guidelines. This widespread exposure unfortunately contributes to approximately 7 million premature deaths every year. Air filters have proven to improve indoor air quality and have a positive impact on human health. While many initiatives are needed to work together to make our air healthier, the call for scalable and effective air filtration solutions today is clear and urgent.
Luminy® L040, a specially developed grade of polylactic acid (PLA) from TotalEnergies Corbion, is a new compelling alternative material made from ethically farmed, GMO-free sugarcane. Designed for meltblown nonwovens processing, it features ultra-low viscosity which enables compatibility with existing production lines.
Technically, Luminy® L040 enables filtration efficiencies above 95% and fiber diameters as fine as 1 μm, even without electrostatic additives. Its capacity to retain stable electrostatic charge enhances long-term filtration performance in many critical applications: HVAC systems, household and industrial purifiers, face masks, and more.
From an environmental perspective, the benefits of Luminy® PLA are equally substantial: an up to 85% lower carbon footprint compared to conventional plastics. Luminy® PLA can further reach carbon neutrality with its 30% recycled content grade, and even a negative carbon footprint with 100% recycled PLA. Recycled Luminy® PLA retains the same quality and certifications as virgin. All parts of air filters can be made with PLA, supporting the design of mono-material filters that are easier to keep in the recycling loop. This helps address waste management challenges associated with composite materials.
As air pollution continues to pose a global health crisis, the need to adopt sustainable filtration materials is clearer than ever. The development of Luminy® L040 is an important advancement that delivers technical performance on par with conventional materials while dramatically reducing environmental impact. For filter manufacturers, it offers an immediate and practical pathway to meet rising performance demands and sustainability expectations simultaneously.
If you are interested in running Luminy® L040 on your meltblown production line, reach out to PLA@totalenergies-corbion.com