Are you looking for an alternative to traditional petroleum-based plastics and packaging? With growing demand for eco-friendly and biodegradable products derived from renewable resources, the market is shifting toward greener solutions. A 2017 study revealed that switching to bio-based plastics can cut industrial greenhouse gas emissions by 25%. Discover why PLA has emerged as one of the top choices for sustainable and biodegradable food packaging.
PLA, or polylactic acid, is produced from any fermentable sugar. Most PLA is made from corn because corn is one of the cheapest and most available sugars globally. However, sugarcane, tapioca root, cassava, and sugar beet pulp are other options.
Like most things chemistry-related, the process of creating PLA from corn is quite complicated. However, it can be explained in a few straightforward steps.
The basic steps to create polylactic acid from corn are as follows:
- First corn starch must be converted into sugar through a mechanical process called wet milling. Wet milling separates the starch from the kernels. Acid or enzymes are added once these components are separated. Then, they’re heated to convert the starch into dextrose (aka sugar).
- Next, the dextrose is fermented. One of the most common fermentation methods involves adding Lactobacillus bacteria to the dextrose. This, in turn, creates lactic acid.
- The lactic acid is then converted into lactide, a ring-form dimer of lactic acid. These lactide molecules bond together to create polymers.
- The result of the polymerization is small pieces of raw material polylactic acid plastic which can be converted into an array of PLA plastic products.
What are the benefits of PLA products?
PLA requires 65% less energy to produce than traditional, petroleum-based plastics. It also emits 68% fewer greenhouse gases. And that’s not all:
The environmental benefits:
- Comparable to PET plastics – More than 95% of the world’s plastics are created from natural gas or crude oil. Fossil fuel-based plastics are not only hazardous; they’re also a finite resource. PLA products present a functional, renewable, and comparable replacement.
- Bio-based – A bio-based product’s materials are derived from renewable agriculture or plants. Because all PLA products come from sugar starches, polylactic acid is considered bio-based.
- Biodegradable – PLA products achieve international standards for biodegradation, naturally degrading rather than piling up in landfills. It does require certain conditions to degrade quickly. In an industrial composting facility, it can break down in 45–90 days.
- Doesn’t emit toxic fumes – Unlike other plastics, bioplastics don’t emit any toxic fumes when they’re incinerated.
- Thermoplastic – PLA is a thermoplastic, so it’s moldable and malleable when heated to its melting temperature. It can be solidified and injection-molded into various forms making it a terrific option for food packaging and 3D printing.
- FDA-approved – Polylactic acid is approved by the FDA as a Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) polymer and is safe for food contact.
The food packaging benefits:
- PLA products do not have the same harmful chemical composition as petroleum-based products
- As strong as many conventional plastics
- Freezer-safe
- Cups can handle temperatures of up to 110°F (PLA-based utensils can handle temperatures up to 200°F)
- Non-toxic, carbon-neutral, and 100% renewable
In the past, when foodservice operators wanted to switch to eco-friendly packaging, they may have only found expensive and subpar products. But PLA is functional, cost effective, and sustainable. Making the switch to these products is a significant step toward reducing your food business’s carbon footprint.