Biopolymer Research Task

POLYLACTIC ACID (PLA)

BRIEF
Polylactic acid is a biodegradable thermoplastic sourced from sugarcane. It was originally
discovered in 1890, the first low molecular weight PLA was made in 1932. PLA was
patented in 1954, but due to the cost of its production, further research into was PLA was
ceased until the 1980s. PLA was commercialized in 1996 from where it's been used in
large amounts.

PRODUCTION
PLA is primarily sourced from corn. Starch is extracted from the corn through the process
of milling, from which the sugar dextrose is extracted. The dextrose is converted into the
monomer lactic acid through fermentation in anaerobic (lack of oxygen) conditions with
the bacteria Lactobacillus bacteria or sometimes the fungi Rhizopus oryzae. Two lactic
acid monomers are condensed to form a cyclic lactide dimer. The Lactide dimer is
polymerized with the bacteria Eutrophus as the catalyst. As the polymerization is a
condensation reaction, water is created as a by-product.

PROPERTIE
S
The significant difference between PLA and other plastic polymers is that PLA is a
biodegradable one. As such it does not produce waste and long term disposable issues as
they degrade. It has a high tensile strength, flexibility, and strength. PLA is highly
resistant to UV degradation, and due to its lower refractive index it can be dyed to
deeper and brighter colors than other plastics such as PET.

USES
PLA is used to produce rigid plastic containers due to its high tensile strength. Due to its
flexibility and ability to be molded easily it is used for plastic bags. The biodegradability
is useful, as it can be used for short-term use materials such as disposable plates, and
cups.

ANALYSIS
PLA is biodegradable and as such is a much better source of plastic compared to other
non-bioplatics such as PET, PP, LDPE/HDPE, and PVC. Though PLA is much more costly to
produce, and the corn that is used in the production could have been eaten by humans.
Despite the cost, PLA should

Biopolymer Research Task

BIBLIOGRAPHY
http://dc.edu.au/hsc-chemistry-production-of-materials/#Polylactic_Acid_PLA
http://community.boredofstudies.org/239/production-materials/128440/polylactic-acidpla-bioploymer.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHxx0YKeYYE
http://www.uhde-inventa-fischer.com/linkservid/14D9B34D-5056-A765BB1E731580EA135C/showMeta/0/
http://www.hitachi.com/businesses/infrastructure/product_site/ip/process/pla.html