Polylactic Acid

PLA is derived from renewable resources, such as corn starch or sugarcane. PLA polymers are considered biodegradable and compostable. PLA is a thermoplastic, high-strength, high-modulus polymer that can be made annually from renewable sources to yield articles for use in either the industrial packaging field or the biocompatible/bioabsorbable medical device market. Bacterial fermentation is used to make lactic acid, which is then converted to the lactide dimer to remove the water molecule which would otherwise limit the ability to make high molecular weight polymer. The lactide dimer, after the water is removed, can be polymerized without producing water.Applications and uses: It is being evaluated as a material for tissue engineering, loose-fill packaging, compost bags, and food packaging.