Certain of the neat PLA (P0) and composite preforms (P1 and P5) were cut up, dried and extruded, in order to investigate the influence of the extrusion step on the MFC dispersion and the associated physical properties. Extrusion was carried out at 180C (melt temperature, 175C) using a microextruder equipped with twin conical co-rotating screws and a capacity of 5cm3 (DSM Micro 5 compounder, Netherlands). The screw rotation speed was 125r/min and the residence time was 180s. The relatively low extrusion temperature was chosen to minimize degradation of the cellulose.23,24 The extrudates containing 0, 1 and 5wt% MFC will be referred to as EP0, EP1 and EP5, respectively.