PLA is one of the most effective measures to solve plastic pollution

Plastics have become an indispensable part of everyday life. However, poor waste management has led to the accumulation of plastic in the environment.

In order to solve this issue, the European Union has embarked on a transition to a circular system in which plastics are reused, repaired and recycled plastics. It also aims to produce plastics that are made from renewable resources (bio-based plastics). Polylactic acid (PLA) is one of the most promising and frequently used polyesters in this category. 

PLA is a new biodegradable material made from starch from renewable plant resources (such as maize, rice etc.)

Flexible and versatile, PLA is used in applications ranging from disposable cutlery and degradable sutures to rigid packaging and extrusion coatings, although the dominant market for PLA is food packaging.