The origin of PLA dates back to the 1970s, but it was only in recent decades that it has attracted attention as a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics.
PLA (polylactic acid) is an innovative and versatile material known for its unique characteristics and positive impact on the environment, making it a preferred choice for many applications.
It is a biodegradable and biocompatible polymer obtained from the fermentation of renewable sources such as maize, potatoes or sugar cane. This production process reduces carbon emissions and the use of non-renewable resources compared to traditional petroleum-based plastics.
With the growing awareness of the negative impact of traditional plastics on the environment, the need for more eco-friendly solutions has become more and more urgent.
Furthermore, PLA has several advantages over conventional plastics. It is durable, flexible and can be used in a wide range of applications, including food packaging, disposable products, household items, medical devices and even in the clothing industry.
The adoption of PLA has a positive impact on the entire supply chain, promoting sustainable practices throughout the product manufacturing and distribution process. Furthermore, PLA fits perfectly into the framework of a transition to a circular economy, where materials are recycled and reused to reduce the overall environmental impact. This is because PLA is itself recyclable, in fact at Gianeco we offer recycled PLA material.
But let us explain how the production of virgin PLA takes place.
The PLA production process involves several steps, from the extraction of raw materials to the transformation of the finished material.
PLA is obtained from renewable sources such as maize, potatoes, sugar cane or other biomass. These raw materials contain starch, which is extracted and converted into sugar through hydrolysis or enzymatic fermentation processes. Subsequently, the fermentation process converts the sugar into lactic acid, which is the basic monomer for the production of PLA.
PLA can be produced using two main polymerisation techniques: condensation polymerisation and ring-opening polymerisation. Condensation polymerisation involves the reaction between lactic acid and other compounds to form PLA. This method requires high temperatures and can generate by-products.
Ring-opening polymerisation is a more common process, involving the reaction of lactic acid with catalysts to form PLA. This method is more efficient and produces fewer by-products.
Once produced, PLA can be transformed into different shapes, such as granules, films or fibres, using extrusion, injection moulding or extrusion blow moulding techniques. These processes result in products of different shapes and sizes, adaptable to the specific needs of different applications.
The PLA industry continues to invest in research and development of new approaches to improve efficiency and sustainability in the production process. This includes the adoption of advanced technologies to reduce energy consumption, the use of more efficient catalysts and the search for even more sustainable raw material sources.
In addition, PLA recycling processes are being developed to enable the material to be recovered and reused. These processes include chemical recycling, which allows lactic acid to be obtained from recycled PLA, which in turn can be used to produce new PLA.
Mechanical recycling is another approach, in which PLA is shredded and reused as raw material for new products. This is precisely the process that is used at Gianeco for the Biogeo product range.
The PLA market is supported by several leading global manufacturers, which are distinguished by their expertise, production capabilities and market strategies.
NatureWorks LLC is one of the world's leading PLA manufacturers with a total production capacity of 150,000 tonnes per year and production facilities in the United States. Their brand of PLA, called Ingeo, is widely used in various industries, including packaging, textiles, personal care products, and more.
TotalEnergies Corbion PLA is a joint venture between TotalEnergies, a major energy company, and Corbion, a leading producer of sustainable ingredients. This joint venture has production facilities in Thailand with a capacity of 75,000 tonnes per year. A new production plant in France with a capacity of 100,000 tonnes/year is planned to open in 2024.
Futerro is a Belgian company (subsidiary of the Belgian Galactic Group) that started up with its historical partner BBCA Biochemical in 2021 in China its first polylactic acid (PLA) plant, capable of producing up to 30,000 tonnes/year of PLA, marketed under the Renew brand, integrated upstream with lactic acid production (80,000 t/y). Now Futerro is considering the construction of an integrated biorefinery for the production of 75,000 t/y of PLA and the chemical recycling of polylactic acid in France.
Other producers producing PLA with smaller capacities are: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, Zhejiang Hisun Biomaterials Co., Ltd., Kingfa Sci. & Tech. Co., Ltd., Nantong Jiuding Biological Engineering Co., Ltd., Jiangsu Jiulang High-Tech Co., Ltd., Zhejiang Worldbestve Biotechnology Co., Ltd.
Recycling plastic can have many benefits for businesses.
1. Recycling can help companies reduce costs. Recycling allows existing resources to be reused, thus reducing the need to purchase new materials.
2. Secondly, recycling can improve a company's image. Companies that are committed to sustainability can be perceived as more responsible and environmentally aware, thus increasing customer and consumer confidence.
3. Recycling can help companies comply with environmental regulations. In many countries, there are laws requiring companies to recycle their waste.
4. Recycling plastic increases employees' awareness of environmental sustainability and they can bring this commitment into their personal lives.
5. Internal recycling reduces waste disposal costs. Companies that do not recycle often pay high costs for waste disposal, including transport, disposal and landfill costs. Internal recycling can reduce these costs, as recyclable materials can be sold or used to produce new products.
6. Another benefit of internal recycling is the reduction of environmental impact. Recycling reduces the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and disposal sites, thus reducing environmental impact. In addition, recycling requires less energy than producing new materials, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions and overall environmental impact. And again, recycling reduces the need to extract new natural resources, such as wood and oil, thus reducing the environmental impact of their extraction.
Several factors are driving the growth of the PLA market. Firstly, the increasing adoption of government policies and regulations incentivises the use of biodegradable materials and the reduction of dependence on traditional plastics. European regulations, for instance, promote the adoption of sustainable materials, providing market opportunities for PLA.
In addition, increasing consumer awareness of the environmental impact of products using traditional plastics is driving demand for sustainable alternatives such as PLA.
Market opportunities for PLA also extend globally. Increasing demand can also be observed in North America, Asia-Pacific and other regions of the world, where environmental awareness is growing.
In addition to virgin PLA production, there is a growing interest in recycled PLA, which offers additional opportunities and advantages in the context of sustainability.
Recycled PLA contributes to the reduction of plastic waste and to the circular economy. Recycling PLA prevents the material from ending up in landfills or the environment, reducing the overall environmental impact.
The use of recycled PLA can offer economic benefits to companies. Purchasing recycled PLA can be cheaper than virgin PLA, allowing companies to reduce production costs without compromising the quality of the material.
Furthermore, the adoption of recycled PLA can improve corporate image, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability.
If you are a manufacturing company and are considering the use of recycled PLA in your production, contact Gianeco now for a free initial consultation.
The origin of PLA dates back to the 1970s, but it was only in recent decades that it has attracted attention as a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics.
PLA (polylactic acid) is an innovative and versatile material known for its unique characteristics and positive impact on the environment, making it a preferred choice for many applications.
It is a biodegradable and biocompatible polymer obtained from the fermentation of renewable sources such as maize, potatoes or sugar cane. This production process reduces carbon emissions and the use of non-renewable resources compared to traditional petroleum-based plastics.
With the growing awareness of the negative impact of traditional plastics on the environment, the need for more eco-friendly solutions has become more and more urgent.
Furthermore, PLA has several advantages over conventional plastics. It is durable, flexible and can be used in a wide range of applications, including food packaging, disposable products, household items, medical devices and even in the clothing industry.
The adoption of PLA has a positive impact on the entire supply chain, promoting sustainable practices throughout the product manufacturing and distribution process. Furthermore, PLA fits perfectly into the framework of a transition to a circular economy, where materials are recycled and reused to reduce the overall environmental impact. This is because PLA is itself recyclable, in fact at Gianeco we offer recycled PLA material.
But let us explain how the production of virgin PLA takes place.
The PLA production process involves several steps, from the extraction of raw materials to the transformation of the finished material.
PLA is obtained from renewable sources such as maize, potatoes, sugar cane or other biomass. These raw materials contain starch, which is extracted and converted into sugar through hydrolysis or enzymatic fermentation processes. Subsequently, the fermentation process converts the sugar into lactic acid, which is the basic monomer for the production of PLA.
PLA can be produced using two main polymerisation techniques: condensation polymerisation and ring-opening polymerisation. Condensation polymerisation involves the reaction between lactic acid and other compounds to form PLA. This method requires high temperatures and can generate by-products.
Ring-opening polymerisation is a more common process, involving the reaction of lactic acid with catalysts to form PLA. This method is more efficient and produces fewer by-products.
Once produced, PLA can be transformed into different shapes, such as granules, films or fibres, using extrusion, injection moulding or extrusion blow moulding techniques. These processes result in products of different shapes and sizes, adaptable to the specific needs of different applications.
The PLA industry continues to invest in research and development of new approaches to improve efficiency and sustainability in the production process. This includes the adoption of advanced technologies to reduce energy consumption, the use of more efficient catalysts and the search for even more sustainable raw material sources.
In addition, PLA recycling processes are being developed to enable the material to be recovered and reused. These processes include chemical recycling, which allows lactic acid to be obtained from recycled PLA, which in turn can be used to produce new PLA.
Mechanical recycling is another approach, in which PLA is shredded and reused as raw material for new products. This is precisely the process that is used at Gianeco for the Biogeo product range.
The PLA market is supported by several leading global manufacturers, which are distinguished by their expertise, production capabilities and market strategies.
NatureWorks LLC is one of the world's leading PLA manufacturers with a total production capacity of 150,000 tonnes per year and production facilities in the United States. Their brand of PLA, called Ingeo, is widely used in various industries, including packaging, textiles, personal care products, and more.
TotalEnergies Corbion PLA is a joint venture between TotalEnergies, a major energy company, and Corbion, a leading producer of sustainable ingredients. This joint venture has production facilities in Thailand with a capacity of 75,000 tonnes per year. A new production plant in France with a capacity of 100,000 tonnes/year is planned to open in 2024.
Futerro is a Belgian company (subsidiary of the Belgian Galactic Group) that started up with its historical partner BBCA Biochemical in 2021 in China its first polylactic acid (PLA) plant, capable of producing up to 30,000 tonnes/year of PLA, marketed under the Renew brand, integrated upstream with lactic acid production (80,000 t/y). Now Futerro is considering the construction of an integrated biorefinery for the production of 75,000 t/y of PLA and the chemical recycling of polylactic acid in France.
Other producers producing PLA with smaller capacities are: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, Zhejiang Hisun Biomaterials Co., Ltd., Kingfa Sci. & Tech. Co., Ltd., Nantong Jiuding Biological Engineering Co., Ltd., Jiangsu Jiulang High-Tech Co., Ltd., Zhejiang Worldbestve Biotechnology Co., Ltd.
Recycling plastic can have many benefits for businesses.
1. Recycling can help companies reduce costs. Recycling allows existing resources to be reused, thus reducing the need to purchase new materials.
2. Secondly, recycling can improve a company's image. Companies that are committed to sustainability can be perceived as more responsible and environmentally aware, thus increasing customer and consumer confidence.
3. Recycling can help companies comply with environmental regulations. In many countries, there are laws requiring companies to recycle their waste.
4. Recycling plastic increases employees' awareness of environmental sustainability and they can bring this commitment into their personal lives.
5. Internal recycling reduces waste disposal costs. Companies that do not recycle often pay high costs for waste disposal, including transport, disposal and landfill costs. Internal recycling can reduce these costs, as recyclable materials can be sold or used to produce new products.
6. Another benefit of internal recycling is the reduction of environmental impact. Recycling reduces the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and disposal sites, thus reducing environmental impact. In addition, recycling requires less energy than producing new materials, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions and overall environmental impact. And again, recycling reduces the need to extract new natural resources, such as wood and oil, thus reducing the environmental impact of their extraction.
Several factors are driving the growth of the PLA market. Firstly, the increasing adoption of government policies and regulations incentivises the use of biodegradable materials and the reduction of dependence on traditional plastics. European regulations, for instance, promote the adoption of sustainable materials, providing market opportunities for PLA.
In addition, increasing consumer awareness of the environmental impact of products using traditional plastics is driving demand for sustainable alternatives such as PLA.
Market opportunities for PLA also extend globally. Increasing demand can also be observed in North America, Asia-Pacific and other regions of the world, where environmental awareness is growing.
In addition to virgin PLA production, there is a growing interest in recycled PLA, which offers additional opportunities and advantages in the context of sustainability.
Recycled PLA contributes to the reduction of plastic waste and to the circular economy. Recycling PLA prevents the material from ending up in landfills or the environment, reducing the overall environmental impact.
The use of recycled PLA can offer economic benefits to companies. Purchasing recycled PLA can be cheaper than virgin PLA, allowing companies to reduce production costs without compromising the quality of the material.
Furthermore, the adoption of recycled PLA can improve corporate image, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability.
If you are a manufacturing company and are considering the use of recycled PLA in your production, contact Gianeco now for a free initial consultation.
