Galactic technology creates new end-of-life options for PLA

Polylactide (PLA) manufacturer NatureWorks says that adaptations to its production process are reducing carbon emissions, while work on a new feedstock recycling system in Europe offers new end-of-life options for the bioplastic. The Loopla feedstock - or chemical - recycling system is the work of Belgian lactic acid producer Galactic. "The company says it is building a feedstock recycling plant, which will use hydrolysis to depolymerise PLA and create the monomer, lactic acid," reports Steve Davies, director of communications and public affairs at NatureWorks.

The 1,000t/year facility should be operational this year, he adds. Galactic said it did not want to comment on the project at this time. Meanwhile, NatureWorks says that its new technology for producing Ingeo PLA generates 77% less carbon dioxide in production than polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

The process also consumes 56% less energy, says the company. It claims its more efficient lactic acid production technology has resulted from years of research, partly funded by the US Department of Energy.

Applications of PLA in mainland Europe are growing from a small base. But in the UK, the biopolymer's incompatibility with home composting operations, together with significant consumer concerns over genetically modified content, is slowing development. This has not stopped the National Non-Food Crops Centre from commissioning a report looking into the feasibility of siting PLA manufacture in the UK. Although NatureWorks is actively investigating manufacture outside the US, the UK will be an unlikely candidate. But the company predicts that within 10 years, there will be production in each major end-use region.