{"id":3535,"date":"2026-10-21T16:47:31","date_gmt":"2026-10-21T08:47:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.drgoodarzi.com\/blog\/?p=3535"},"modified":"2026-10-21T16:47:31","modified_gmt":"2026-10-21T08:47:31","slug":"can-the-ab-two-layer-film-blowing-machine-be-used-for-biodegradable-plastics-44f9-374b69","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.drgoodarzi.com\/blog\/2026\/10\/21\/can-the-ab-two-layer-film-blowing-machine-be-used-for-biodegradable-plastics-44f9-374b69\/","title":{"rendered":"Can the AB Two Layer Film Blowing Machine be used for biodegradable plastics?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hey everyone, thanks for stopping by my blog\u2014today we\u2019re diving into a question that hits my inbox at least once a week: Can the AB two layer film blowing machine I sell actually handle biodegradable plastics?<\/em> AB Two Layer Film Blowing Machine<\/a><\/p>\n

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First off, let\u2019s cut the jargon\u2014if you\u2019re in the packaging game, you know biodegradable plastics aren\u2019t just a trend anymore. Shoppers and brands are screaming for eco-friendly films, and I\u2019ve had so many customers ask: \u201cShould I ditch my current AB machine for a whole new set just to switch to compostable materials?\u201d The short answer is, it depends<\/em>, but let\u2019s break it down like we\u2019re chatting over a coffee (no stuffy industry reports here, promise).<\/p>\n

Quick Refresher: What\u2019s an AB Two Layer Film Blowing Machine Anyway?<\/h3>\n

For the new folks tuning in (hi, welcome!), AB two layer machines aren\u2019t rocket science. They let you extrude two different plastic materials at the same time, merge them into a single film, and blow it into a bubble before it cools. The two layers work together\u2014you get the strength of one, the barrier properties of the other, and you don\u2019t have to buy two separate mono-layer machines. That\u2019s why they\u2019re such a workhorse for everything from grocery bags to food packaging.<\/p>\n

What Are Biodegradable Plastics We\u2019re Talking About?<\/h3>\n

Not all biodegradable plastics are created equal, right? The ones that work well with AB machines fall into a couple main categories:<\/p>\n

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  1. PLA (Polylactic Acid)<\/strong>: Made from corn or sugarcane, super common for single-use items like food wraps or compostable bags.<\/li>\n
  2. PBAT (Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate)<\/strong>: Flexible, often blended with PLA to fix its brittleness.<\/li>\n
  3. Starch-based blends<\/strong>: Cheaper, often used for things like agricultural mulch films.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The big ones to avoid (for now) are things like pure PHA, but even that\u2019s changing\u2014we\u2019ll get to that later.<\/p>\n

    Can Your AB Machine Handle These? The Yes Side<\/h3>\n

    Let\u2019s start with the good news: a lot of my customers are running biodegradable films on their existing AB machines right now<\/em> and raving about it. Here\u2019s why that works:<\/p>\n