The Future of PLA (Polylactic Acid)

PLA – Polylactic Acid

Théophile-Jules Pelouze, a French chemist, created PLA for the first time in 1845. Dupont, a chemical firm, received a patent for an industrial synthesis technique in 1954. Discover the 15 most important moments in the history of plastic. This polymer was utilized in the biomedical industry during the 1960s and 1970s because of its ability to biodegrade in a physiological environment. Biodegradable suture threads and implants for prolonged drug release are commonly made from PLAs since they are non-toxic and biocompatible.

The 1990s saw the diversification of PLA’s applications. To mass-produce high-molecular-weight PLA (named PPLA) for sale in pellet form, Cargill invented the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) method. Because of its mechanical qualities and biodegradability, PLA can be used in place of non-biodegradable polymers like PET and polystyrene.

Better methods for designing PLA and developing formulations for targeted purposes have since been developed by researchers.

PLA – Biodegradable Bioplastic Made From Renewable Resources

PLA is unique among bioplastics in that it is both bio-sourced and biodegradable. Most bioplastics have only one of these properties.

Simply put, PLA is a bioplastic since it is derived entirely from organic materials like corn or sugar cane. Lactic acid is converted into lactide, a monomer, through the fermentation of sugar or starch. To create PLA, this lactide must first be polymerized.

In addition to being compostable, PLA is biodegradable. However, until recently, it could only be composted in industrial processes because of the constant high temperatures necessary. In addition, because of how long it took to decompose, it could only be utilized to make thin films containing a negligible amount of PLA (therefore, negligible amounts of bio-sourced components). The breakthrough addition Evanesto® has solved this issue once and for all by making it possible for PLA-rich plastics to earn the OK HOME certification from the Tüv Austria organization. To ensure that plastic packaging and products (even stiff ones) can be introduced to home composters along with food scraps and other kinds of biowaste, this ingredient makes it easier for microorganisms in the compost to digest PLA.

Read more: PLA Filament Material Guide

A Rapidly Expanding Subfield!

PLA resins may immediately benefit the plastics industry because they can be incorporated into existing processes with minimal investment in new equipment.

In contrast to other compostable and bio-sourced resins on the market, PLA is a transparent and hard polyester at room temperature. PLA may be printed on paper, has intermediate barrier qualities like polystyrene, and has a translucent and shining look comparable to glass. As a result, PLA can be used anywhere fossil-based products have previously been used.

Bags, pots, capsules, packing, tea bags, and so on are all popular places to find PLA due to its suitability for use with food. However, it is finding more and more uses outside of the electronics industry, including in the home (floor and wall coatings, curtains, protections, textiles, bin bags, vacuum cleaner bags, toys, electronic appliances, wipes, nappies, etc.), in hygiene (wipes, nappies), in agriculture (pots, films, strain, clips, etc.), in automobiles (dashboards, trims), and industry (poly bags, blisters, bubble wrap, etc.).

The use of PLA filament in 3D printing has skyrocketed in popularity recently. The principles of 3D printing (minimal output, just-in-time manufacturing, and onshoring) mesh beautifully with PLA’s biodegradability. Since PLA has desirable mechanical and thermal qualities, it is frequently used in 3D printing filaments.

PLA – The Way of the Future

Strong demand has led to exponential growth in the bioplastics business, which is forecast to increase by 10–15% year over year until 2025 (and, happily, will not compete with human or animal food production). PLA, one of the first renewable polymers that can hold its own against conventional polymers in terms of performance and environmental effect, is made entirely from renewable resources. Because of this, production has increased steadily since 2001.

NatureWorks LLC and Total Corbion PLA are the two largest PLA manufacturers in the world today. Total and the Dutch company Corbion (a lactic acid expert) formed the Total Corbion PLA joint venture in 2017 and began producing a new PLA line under the brand name Luminy® in 2018 in response to this market expansion. This PLA (with an annual capacity of 75,000 tons) will be produced from sugar cane that has not been genetically modified in Rayong, Thailand. Production at Total Corbion PLA’s Grandpuits plant in France (nameplate capacity of 100,000 metric tons per year) will begin in 2024.

Anhui BBCA & Galactic, a joint venture in Asia with an annual capacity of 40,000 tons, and PLA NEO Futurroqui, established in South America and expecting to produce 100,000 tons by 2024, also enter the market. In other words, by 2022, businesses will be able to produce 600,000 tons of PLA annually, more than enough to meet the demands of numerous markets.

An efficient method for reducing the environmental impact of recyclable plastic

In some circumstances, plastic remains difficult to substitute. The French Citizens’ Climate Convention agrees with this assessment, writing that “packaging remains necessary for many products for health reasons or to ensure product quality.” Thanks to compostable plastic, and by extension, PLA, we can keep using plastic while still being environmentally responsible.

Video 01: What is PLA (Poly Lactic Acid)? – 1.5min