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The GREEN products' principle

What is a bioplastic? This generic term covers two different concepts, which causes a lot of confusion among the general public. A bioplastic can be:

1. A biodegradable plastic, specifically a compostable polymer. The specification is directly a function of the polymer related to the end of life. Biodegradability and compostability are defined by such standards as EN 14955, which governs biodegradability and composting in general, and EN 13432 in the more specific field of packaging. This functionality gives plastics that meet these standards an additional option for the responsible management of their end of life. This must also be developed to optimise the energy consumption of plastics after their first use whatever the application.

2. A plastic from renewable resources. Biomass is an alternative source of carbon other than fossilised resources like oil, gas and coal. The use of biomass to manufacture plastics helps reduce dependence on oil and provides access to the domain of green chemistry.

PLA (polylactic acid) is first and foremost a plastic produced from renewable resources. It participates in the development of green chemistry and meets all the demands of market diversification in terms of the origin of raw materials used in the manufacture of various materials.

Lactic acid, the starting point in the synthesis of PLA, is a product made from renewable resources. It is biocompatible, bio-assimilable and biodegradable. It is manufactured by fermenting sucrose or glucose. Biochemistry and biotechnology are at the heart of the synthesis of the PLA precursor.

The raw materials of lactic acid are sugar cane, sugar beet, maize and wheat, among others. In Europe, Galactic, partner of Total Petrochemicals in the Futerro joint venture, uses sugar beet as raw material for lactic acid production. The PLA proposed by Futerro is therefore GMO-free.

PLA is also biodegradable and compostable. It is one of the options that could be used to responsibly manage the end of life of this bio-sourced polymer.