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Poly lactic acid (PLA) is a biopolymer created from renewable resources like maize and sugar cane. The process of developing poly lactic acid has been known for decades, but business oriented interest in PLA has increased considerably over the past few years due to the ability of the polymer to biodegrade in a municipal composting center. Poly Lactic Acid Production Corn is harvested from the field and is divided into its different parts. The corn sugar, dextrose, is subsequently extracted. Dextrose is fermented, distilled, and turned into lactic acid and the lactic acid is next transformed into PLA. The poly lactic acid is typically shaped into small pellets. The poly lactic acid pellets will then be bought by manufacturers and used in molds to form a variety of products and packaging, such as: food service ware (e.g., biodegradable cups), fabrics, furniture, medical devices, and much more. Poly Lactic Acid's Physical Qualities Poly lactic acid plastic (generally known as "corn plastic") has physical properties that are quite similar to traditional petroleum based plastics like PETE or plastic #1. Natureworks and Manufacturers of PLA Natureworks LLC is a subsidiary of Cargill, and is the main manufacturer of PLA in the US. Natureworks releases polylactic acid through the brand Ingeo, with a production capability of three hundred million pounds / year. Poly lactic acid is also produced by Purac Biomaterials and a variety of other Chinese firms. Compostability Polylactic acid may be certified commercially compostable using the standards ASTM D6400 and EN13432 for compostable plastics. These types of certifications verify that a product or packaging made from PLA will 1) break down by 60-90% within 180 days of entering a municipal composting facility, 2) disintegrate by ninety percent into pieces no larger than 2 millimeters in size, and 3) will deposit no heavy metals or other eco-toxicity in the compost greater than that of a control group. Food Packaging Products PLA is used in a wide variety of food service ware applications, including biodegradable: hot cups, forks, take-out containers, clear deli containers, and more. Polylactic acid is one of the primary compostable materials in addition to sugar cane fiber, wheat straw, and pulp paper. Polylactic acid is additionally used as a biodegradable lining in compostable paper soup bowls and compostable paper coffee cups. Using PLA as a lining in paper products allows the products to be certified compostable, but nevertheless keep liquid beverages, sauces, and other wet ingredients from leaking. Learn more about buying biodegradable food packaging and switching to PLA compostable cups and containers.
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polylactic acid, biodegradable food packaging, PLA, compostable cups,
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