Can I use this for PLA and PHA?

Yes, but use each resin supplier's drying conditions and do not combine materials with different drying windows unless using an averaged planning estimate.

Should regrind be included?

Include regrind if it must be dried with virgin resin or if it has absorbed moisture in storage.

Does this calculate final moisture content?

No. It estimates dryer time; measure moisture content separately when hydrolysis or cosmetic defects are a risk.

How can I use the result?

Use it to stage resin earlier, add dryer capacity, split lots, or delay a run until material is dry enough to process.

Bioplastics & Biomaterials Processing calculator

Bio-Resin Drying Load Calculator

Many bioplastics are moisture sensitive, and under-drying can cause hydrolysis, low viscosity, splay, brittleness, bubbles, or poor film strength. This calculator helps processors schedule desiccant dryers, hopper dryers, and preconditioning time for resin lots before compounding, extrusion, injection molding, or thermoforming.

What this calculator does

Estimate dryer hours needed for moisture-sensitive PLA, PHA, PBAT, starch blend, cellulose, or bio-based resin before extrusion or molding.
a processor needs to confirm whether available dryer capacity can prepare the resin required for a production shift or trial
Returns estimated hours of drying capacity needed for the resin lot.

Formula used

Base dryer load time = bio-resin weight to dry ÷ dryer throughput
Required bio-resin drying time = base dryer load time × drying setup and moisture-check allowance factor

Inputs explained

Bio-resin weight to dry: Use the PLA, PHA, starch blend, hygroscopic compound, regrind, or bio-filled resin weight needed for the run.
Dryer throughput: Use verified dryer output at the required drying temperature, dew point, residence time, and hopper fill level.
Drying setup and moisture-check allowance: Add time for material changeover, hopper cleanout, preheat, moisture analyzer checks, purge, and re-drying risk.

How to use the result

Use it for dryer scheduling, material staging, trial planning, moisture-sensitive resin changeovers, and production readiness checks.
It estimates capacity time only; always follow supplier drying temperature, dew point, residence time, and maximum hold-time guidance.

Common questions

Can I use this for PLA and PHA? Yes, but use each resin supplier's drying conditions and do not combine materials with different drying windows unless using an averaged planning estimate.
Should regrind be included? Include regrind if it must be dried with virgin resin or if it has absorbed moisture in storage.
Does this calculate final moisture content? No. It estimates dryer time; measure moisture content separately when hydrolysis or cosmetic defects are a risk.
How can I use the result? Use it to stage resin earlier, add dryer capacity, split lots, or delay a run until material is dry enough to process.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.