Life Cycle Assessment of Polylactic Acid (PLA) in food packaging and the opportunity for production waste recycling
15/11/2023
Bioplastics
In the rapidly changing world of food packaging, sustainability has become an increasingly pressing concern.
Polylactic acid (PLA), a biodegradable polymer derived from renewable sources such as maize, has emerged as a promising alternative to traditional plastics. In addition, the opportunity to use recycled PLA in production is also gaining ground.
But how much do we know about the impact of PLA on the environment? And what is the potential of recycled PLA derived from food packaging production waste?
We examine the life cycle assessment of PLA and the prospects for its sustainable use.
What is PLA?
PLA, or polylactic acid, is a bioplastic material that is produced by fermenting sugars of plant origin, such as maize or sugar cane.
It is a versatile material that can be used for the production of a wide range of products, in the food industry for the production of containers, disposable tableware and packaging or even household and personal care items.
Its growing popularity is attributable to the fact that it is biodegradable and can reduce the use of petroleum-derived plastics.
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
The life cycle assessment (LCA) of PLA for food packaging has been studied in both Europe and the United States. These analyses consider every stage of the PLA life cycle, from production to use and disposal.
The production of PLA requires the cultivation of raw materials such as maize. In Europe, there are efforts to reduce pesticide use and improve energy efficiency in production. In the US, maize production is more energy intensive but produces a large amount of PLA material.
PLA is widely used for food packaging as it is biodegradable and can replace traditional plastics. However, on both continents, the effectiveness of using PLA in extending the life of products and reducing waste is an ongoing challenge.
The most interesting aspect is the end-of-life. In Europe, PLA composting is a common practice, contributing to a closing of the material cycle. In the US, PLA composting is less common, but recycling is gaining ground.
Recycling production waste from food packaging
The idea of using food packaging production waste to produce recycled PLA is extremely promising, and some companies are already making significant progress in this area. One notable example is Gianeco, a company committed to sustainable innovation in the food packaging industry.
Gianeco is at the forefront in the production of ground and recycled biopolymer granules, including PLA. This initiative enables the re-use of food packaging production waste, thus reducing the need to cultivate new raw materials and contributing significantly to environmental sustainability.
Gianeco's production of ground and recycled biopolymer granules
Gianeco is an Italian company that produces ground and recycled granules of biopolymers, including PLA, PBS and PBAT.
The company uses a mechanical recycling process to transform food packaging production waste into high-quality recycled materials.
Gianeco's production of recycled biopolymer regrind and granules has several advantages, including:
Reduction of waste: the production of recycled ground and recycled granules helps to reduce the amount of waste produced by the food industry;
Reduction of environmental impact: the production of milled and recycled granules can help reduce the environmental impact of PLA;
Cost savings: the production of recycled millings and granules can help reduce the production costs of PLA.
Gianeco: a sustainable supplier of recycled PLA and other biopolymers
If you are already using virgin PLA and would like to test recycled PLA, contact Gianeco now.Among recycled Pla producers, Gianeco stands out for having believed in bioplastics and recycled bioplastics at an early stage.
For almost ten years, Gianeco has been collecting bioplastic waste and making granules and ground PLA, PBAT and PBS.
Gianeco's recycled PLA products are a sustainable choice for companies wishing to reduce the environmental impact of their products.
Life Cycle Assessment of Polylactic Acid (PLA) in food packaging and the opportunity for production waste recycling
15/11/2023
Bioplastics
In the rapidly changing world of food packaging, sustainability has become an increasingly pressing concern.
Polylactic acid (PLA), a biodegradable polymer derived from renewable sources such as maize, has emerged as a promising alternative to traditional plastics. In addition, the opportunity to use recycled PLA in production is also gaining ground.
But how much do we know about the impact of PLA on the environment? And what is the potential of recycled PLA derived from food packaging production waste?
We examine the life cycle assessment of PLA and the prospects for its sustainable use.
What is PLA?
PLA, or polylactic acid, is a bioplastic material that is produced by fermenting sugars of plant origin, such as maize or sugar cane.
It is a versatile material that can be used for the production of a wide range of products, in the food industry for the production of containers, disposable tableware and packaging or even household and personal care items.
Its growing popularity is attributable to the fact that it is biodegradable and can reduce the use of petroleum-derived plastics.
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
The life cycle assessment (LCA) of PLA for food packaging has been studied in both Europe and the United States. These analyses consider every stage of the PLA life cycle, from production to use and disposal.
The production of PLA requires the cultivation of raw materials such as maize. In Europe, there are efforts to reduce pesticide use and improve energy efficiency in production. In the US, maize production is more energy intensive but produces a large amount of PLA material.
PLA is widely used for food packaging as it is biodegradable and can replace traditional plastics. However, on both continents, the effectiveness of using PLA in extending the life of products and reducing waste is an ongoing challenge.
The most interesting aspect is the end-of-life. In Europe, PLA composting is a common practice, contributing to a closing of the material cycle. In the US, PLA composting is less common, but recycling is gaining ground.
Recycling production waste from food packaging
The idea of using food packaging production waste to produce recycled PLA is extremely promising, and some companies are already making significant progress in this area. One notable example is Gianeco, a company committed to sustainable innovation in the food packaging industry.
Gianeco is at the forefront in the production of ground and recycled biopolymer granules, including PLA. This initiative enables the re-use of food packaging production waste, thus reducing the need to cultivate new raw materials and contributing significantly to environmental sustainability.
Gianeco's production of ground and recycled biopolymer granules
Gianeco is an Italian company that produces ground and recycled granules of biopolymers, including PLA, PBS and PBAT.
The company uses a mechanical recycling process to transform food packaging production waste into high-quality recycled materials.
Gianeco's production of recycled biopolymer regrind and granules has several advantages, including:
Reduction of waste: the production of recycled ground and recycled granules helps to reduce the amount of waste produced by the food industry;
Reduction of environmental impact: the production of milled and recycled granules can help reduce the environmental impact of PLA;
Cost savings: the production of recycled millings and granules can help reduce the production costs of PLA.
Gianeco: a sustainable supplier of recycled PLA and other biopolymers
If you are already using virgin PLA and would like to test recycled PLA, contact Gianeco now.Among recycled Pla producers, Gianeco stands out for having believed in bioplastics and recycled bioplastics at an early stage.
For almost ten years, Gianeco has been collecting bioplastic waste and making granules and ground PLA, PBAT and PBS.
Gianeco's recycled PLA products are a sustainable choice for companies wishing to reduce the environmental impact of their products.
