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The PLA

PLA (polylactic acid) is a plastic produced from resources that can be renewed on an annual basis, such as sugar beet, sugar cane, wheat, maize and cellulose.

The PLA manufacturing process includes biotechnology activity in the sucrose (sugar) or glucose extraction phase before transformation by fermentation (using a micro-organism) into lactic acid. This lactic acid is then chemically transformed into PLA.

PLA has been known as a polymer for many years in medical applications, such as stitches, orthopedic or galenical pins. This sector of application was developed on the basis of the biocompatibility between humans and this polymer, which is obtained from lactic acid. Due to technological developments and optimisations of the procedure, PLA is now available on commodity markets, such as packaging, disposable objects, fibers and more. Many product developments are ongoing and should enable, in the near future, the use of PLA in such sustainable applications as the automotive industry, floor coverings and electronics.

In addition to the conventional methods, PLA has the distinctive feature of increasing end-of-life management options. PLA from renewable raw materials is also biodegradable and compostable. This is one of the options for managing the end of life of this biosource polymer.

PLA can also be depolymerised to return into its original monomer state – lactic acid, which after purification, can be reused to manufacture PLA.

Galactic, Futerro's partner in the joint-venture, offers under the label LOOPLA® a full solution for a recycling “cradle-to-cradle” of the PLA.