Industry news

According to various studies, using tea bags to brew tea may release tens of billions of microplastic particles. Tea bags, coffee bags, and similar products are subjected to high-temperature hot water during use, so the safety and healthiness of the material are crucial for consumers.

In recent years, corn fiber (i.e., polylactic acid fiber) has been gaining popularity. Tea bags made from "corn-based material" offer a safer and more natural experience for users.

eSUNFiber PLA Fiber

eSUNFiber PLA Super Short Cut Staple

Product Specifications: Fineness 0.9~6D, Lengths 3/5/6/12mm

eSUNFiber PLA Super Short Cut Staple can be used in various specialty paper manufacturing processes, including both wet-laid and dry-laid methods. It is especially suitable for use in tea bags, coffee bags, coffee filter paper, herbal sachets, spice bags, foot bath bags, dust-free paper, and other types of packaging materials.

Naturally hydrophobic, PLA Super Short Cut Staple tends to have poor dispersion in water and is prone to flocculation. However, through extensive R&D and testing, the addition of customized PLA Super Short Cut Staple into the pulp has been shown to significantly improve dispersion with other cellulose fibers during the papermaking process, reducing fiber clumping and enhancing uniformity, thereby ensuring stable performance in specialty paper products.

Advantages of PLA Super Short Cut Staple in Specialty Paper Production:

1. Bio-based and Biodegradable

PLA nonwoven products have excellent biodegradability and can be fully decomposed by microorganisms in natural environments into CO₂and water. For example, with billions of disposable tea bags consumed globally each day, using PLA-based tea bags significantly reduces plastic pollution and helps ease environmental stress.

eSUNFiber PLA fiber and nonwoven fabric DIN certification report

2. Safe Material with No Microplastic Risk

PLA fiber is derived from renewable plant resources. As a certified food-safe material, it can be widely applied in food packaging, pharmaceuticals, and high-standard daily-use paper products. For instance, tea bags and coffee filters made from PLA can be safely steeped in hot water without releasing harmful plastics or substances, making them more human-friendly.

eSUNFiber PLA fiber and nonwoven fabric FDA test report

3. Ultrasonic Heat Sealable

Using PLA fibers in pulp and paper production allows for ultrasonic thermal bonding, which helps lower manufacturing costs and increase efficiency.

eSUNFiber PLA bicomponent fibers feature a core-sheath structure composed of 100% PLA. The sheath layer is made of low-melting-point PLA with good flexibility, while the core is high-melting-point PLA with strong durability. These bicomponent PLA fibers can replace traditional PP, PET, and ES fibers to achieve ultrasonic sealing and thermal bonding—eliminating the need for additional glue and offering a fully safe and biodegradable product.

4. Compatible with Wood Pulp and Other Natural Fibers

PLA Super Short Cut Staple is commonly mixed with wood pulp fiber, nanofibers, and other natural fibers in certain proportions for papermaking. PLA mainly acts as a binder to enhance the structure by thermally bonding with other fibers. Additionally, by adjusting the slurry composition and processing techniques, diverse application needs can be met.

The application of PLA Super Short Cut Staple in specialty paper production not only provides significant environmental benefits but also ensures excellent functionality and user experience, aligning well with industry trends.

For more information or inquiries, feel free to contact us. Let’s explore innovative applications of PLA fiber together!