Polylactic Acid (PLA) - a form of bioplastic
Derived from corn, wheat
Due to a surge in the range of renewables sources used to make plastics, PLA has become a popular raw ingredient used to make green plastics. PLA is produced from the fermentation of starch from crops, most commonly corn starch or sugarcane in the US, into lactic acid that is then polymerized. Its blends are used in a wide range of applications including computer and mobile phone casings, foil, biodegradable medical implants, molds, tins, cups, bottles and other packaging. The largest commercial producer of bioplastic in the US is NatureWorks, owned by Cargill. The company's plant in Blair, Nebraska uses corn sugar to produce PLA plastics packaging material and its own Ingeo-brand fibers.
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Harvesting
PLA is a technology based on a method of extracting the carbon from plants, which the plants, in turn, have removed from the air through photosynthesis. Carbon is stored in plant starches, which can be broken down into natural plant sugars. Carbon and other elements are used to make PLA.
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Forming Methods
Corn, sugar cane, potato or other starch-based plant source are milled and the starch is separated from the raw material and used to make dextrose. Dextrose is turned into lactic acid through fermentation. It can be used for fibers, foams, emulsions and chemical intermediaries. Credit cards, blow-moulded water bottles, casing for consumer electronics, water-based emulsions, clothing, carpet tiles, rigid and flexible films for thermoformed food and beverage containers. Formed using standard plastic forming techniques – foaming extrusion, injection moulding, thermoforming and calendaring.
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Sustainability
Biodegradable and compostable; release 60% less greenhouse gases and use 50% less non-renewable energy than traditional plastics such as PET and PS; main issue is the use of food stock and land as raw material; expensive compared to petroleum-based plastics, widely available from multiple suppliers, annually renewable
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Physical Properties
Versatile production, good clarity, good stiffness, low durability, low odor, good surface finish.
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Compostable Mailer
Made of bio-based polymer + PLA derived from corn and wheat straw