Alexei Volkov
Polylactic acid (PLA) is a popular biodegradable and environmentally-friendly alternative to petroleum-based plastics. It is made from renewable, plant-based resources, most commonly corn, but also cassava, sugarcane, tapioca root, sugar beet pulp, and sugar cane. PLA is used extensively in the packaging industry, particularly for food packaging, and has applications in engineering plastics, automotive parts, and medical implants. Compared to petroleum-based plastics, PLA uses less energy and generates fewer greenhouse gases during production and can be incinerated without producing toxic fumes. However, it has a shorter lifespan and may not provide sufficient protection and longevity for products, especially those being exported. PLA also requires industrial composting facilities for disposal, which can be difficult for consumers to locate.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Composition | Polylactic acid, a type of polyester |
| Feedstock | Renewable resources like plants, including corn, cassava, sugarcane, and sugar beet pulp |
| Biodegradability | Biodegradable and compostable, but requires certain conditions to degrade quickly (e.g. industrial composting facilities) |
| Environmental Impact | Eco-friendly, with a 65% reduction in energy use and 63% fewer greenhouse gas emissions during production compared to petroleum-based plastics |
| Incineration | Does not emit toxic fumes or produce chlorine-containing chemicals, heavy metals, dioxins, or hydrochloric acid during incineration |
| Mechanical Properties | Brittle, with less than 10% elongation at break, limiting its use in high-stress applications |
| Heat Resistance | Can handle temperatures up to 110°F, with improved heat resistance through treatments like capping of end groups |
| Applications | Packaging, automotive parts, medical implants, fishing line, sandbags, planting pots, ropes |
| Average Lifespan | 6 months from time of manufacture to final use |
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What You'll Learn
PLA plastic is made from renewable resources
Polylactic acid, also known as poly(lactic acid) or polylactide (PLA), is a plastic material that can be constantly renewed as it is processed from natural, plant-based resources. These include corn, cassava, sugarcane, sugar beet pulp, and even non-agricultural feedstocks.
PLA is a polyester made with two possible monomers or 'building blocks': lactic acid and lactide. Lactic acid can be produced by the bacterial fermentation of a carbohydrate source, such as corn starch, cassava roots, or sugarcane. This makes the process sustainable and renewable on an industrial scale.
The production of PLA has significant environmental and economic advantages over conventional plastics. For example, producing PLA uses 65% less energy and generates 63% fewer greenhouse gases than its petroleum-based counterparts.
PLA is also biodegradable and compostable. Under commercial composting conditions, PLA plastics will naturally break down within twelve weeks, making them a more environmentally friendly choice than traditional plastics, which can take centuries to break down and often create microplastics.
However, it is important to note that the recycling infrastructure for PLA has not yet been fully developed, and composting is currently the preferred end-of-life option. Additionally, the short lifespan of PLA products, typically around six months, can be a challenge for brands looking to export products and may not always be practical for perishable foods.
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It's a popular biodegradable option
PLA, or polylactic acid, is a popular biodegradable option for plastic. It is made from renewable, plant-based materials like corn, cassava, sugarcane, and sugar beet pulp. As a bio-based product, its materials are derived from renewable agriculture or plants. It is also functional, cost-effective, and sustainable, making it an excellent option for businesses passionate about sustainability and reducing their carbon footprint.
One of the key advantages of PLA is that it is compostable. It can break down in as little as 45–90 days in an industrial composting facility, and it has been certified industrially compostable to Australian and European Standards (AS4736 and EN13432). This means that under commercial composting conditions, PLA plastics will break down within twelve weeks, making it a more environmentally friendly choice than traditional plastics, which can take centuries to break down. However, it is important to note that PLA is not suitable for home composting, and local authorities do not collect compostable materials manufactured for industrial composting.
Another benefit of PLA is that it does not have the same harmful chemical composition as petroleum-based products. It does not contain chlorine, so it does not produce dioxins or hydrochloric acid during incineration, making incineration an environmentally friendly disposal method for PLA. PLA also does not emit toxic fumes when incinerated, unlike other plastics.
In addition to its environmental benefits, PLA has applications in various industries. It is used in the packaging industry, with companies such as Walmart, Newman's Own Organics, and Wild Oats adopting it for compostable packaging. PLA is also used in engineering plastics, automotive parts, and medical implants due to its heat resistance and durability.
However, there are some considerations to using PLA. Firstly, it has a shorter lifespan than traditional plastics, with an average lifespan of just 6 months from the time of manufacture to final use. This can be a challenge for brands, especially those looking to export products. Secondly, while PLA is made from renewable resources, there is a moral issue with the idea of growing crops for packaging instead of using them for food, especially considering the number of people worldwide without enough food. Finally, the recycling infrastructure for PLA has not been fully developed yet, so composting or incineration are currently the preferred end-of-life options.
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PLA is used for food packaging
PLA, or Polylactic Acid, is a bioplastic made from renewable resources such as corn starch, sugarcane, sugar beet, and cassava. It is produced from the waste left over from existing processes, like corn cultivation. Lactic acid is extracted and processed into a granulate from which new products can be made.
PLA is commonly used for plastic films and food containers in the packaging industry. It is an ideal food packaging option due to its transparency, allowing consumers to see the contents without opening the package. For example, PLA is widely used for clear food packaging for fruits, salads, and sliced ham. It also has excellent oxygen and water barrier properties, helping to preserve the freshness and quality of food. Studies have shown that PLA-based packaging films can extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables by up to two days compared to traditional plastic packaging.
However, one disadvantage of PLA is its lower temperature resistance compared to traditional plastics. PLA has a maximum recommended use temperature of around 110°F (43°C), making it unsuitable for hot foods or liquids. Additionally, the safety of PLA may vary depending on the manufacturing process, additives used, and other factors. For example, heating PLA filament produces a hazardous chemical called methyl methacrylate.
Despite these considerations, PLA is generally considered food-safe and is FDA-approved as a Generally Recognized Safe (GRAS) polymer when used in contact with food. It is also non-toxic, improving the food safety of PLA-coated paper food packaging materials. Proper disposal of PLA is important, and it should be separated from other plastics and sent to specialist composting facilities.
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It's a thermoplastic
Polylactic acid, also known as poly(lactic acid) or polylactide (PLA), is a thermoplastic polyester, or polyhydroxyalkanoate, to be precise. It has the backbone formula (C3H4O2)n or [–C(CH3)HC(=O)O–]n.
Being a thermoplastic means that PLA has a high degree of plasticity or fluidity when heated, but it also exhibits stable, solid properties at room temperature. This makes it ideal for a wide range of applications, from automotive parts to medical implants.
The thermoplastic nature of PLA is one of the reasons it is so versatile. For example, when blended with a rubber-like polymer such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), PLA exhibits good form stability and visual transparency, making it useful for packaging applications.
Additionally, the ability to mould and shape PLA at high temperatures means it can be easily formed into various products, including sandbags, planting pots, binding tape, and ropes.
PLA's unique properties as a thermoplastic also contribute to its eco-friendly nature. Unlike petroleum-based plastics, PLA is derived from natural, renewable resources, such as corn. This makes it constantly renewable and biodegradable under the right conditions, reducing our reliance on finite resources like oil.
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PLA is compostable
PLA is a bioplastic that is compostable and biodegradable. However, it is important to note that PLA requires very specific conditions to biodegrade. It needs to be in an industrial composting environment with high and constant temperatures, and the right bacteria must be present. This means that PLA will not biodegrade in soil, a home compost, or a landfill.
The specific conditions required for composting PLA mean that it can be challenging to dispose of responsibly. Local authorities often do not collect compostable materials intended for industrial composting, and many individuals do not have access to industrial composting facilities or anaerobic digestion systems. As a result, PLA waste often ends up in landfills, where it can break down in a way that is harmful to the environment.
To address this issue, some companies are creating recycled PLA filament made from post-industrial extrusion waste, diverting materials from landfills and contributing to a circular economy. Additionally, new technologies, such as CARBIOS Active®, are being developed to facilitate the composting process for PLA. This enzyme enables plastic packaging and products with high PLA content to achieve compost certification.
Despite the challenges, PLA still offers significant environmental benefits over traditional petroleum-based plastics. It is made from renewable natural resources, uses less energy and generates fewer greenhouse gases during production, and does not emit toxic fumes when incinerated. However, there are also concerns about the use of corn for PLA production, as it may affect food security and compromise the shelf life of perishable foods.
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Frequently asked questions
PLA is a bioplastic made from renewable, plant-based materials like corn, cassava and sugarcane. It is also known as polylactic acid or polylactide. If a plastic product is labelled as compostable, it is likely to be made from PLA.
PLA is a more environmentally-friendly alternative to petroleum-based plastics, which are derived from oil. It is constantly renewable, biodegradable, and does not emit toxic fumes when incinerated.
The infrastructure for recycling PLA has not yet been developed, so composting is the preferred end-of-life option. However, local authorities do not collect compostable materials manufactured for industrial composting, and it can be difficult to locate where and how to dispose of PLA plastic.
