With the continuous enhancement of global environmental awareness, biodegradable materials have become a popular field for scientific research and industrial development. Polylactic acid (PLA) is a promising biodegradable biopolymer that has been extensively studied in the past two decades.
It comes from nature and has good physical properties and biocompatibility, making it an ideal substitute for traditional petrochemical plastics. It can reduce carbon emissions, promote resource recycling, and reduce dependence on oil. Widely used in packaging, textiles, 3D printing, medical,l and other fields.
What is Polylactic Acid(PLA)?
Polylactic acid (PLA) is a new type of biodegradable material that uses starch raw materials from renewable plant resources (such as corn) as raw materials. Glucose is obtained through saccharification, and glucose is fermented with specific bacterial strains to produce high-purity lactic acid. Lactic acid is chemically synthesized into polylactic acid with a certain molecular weight.
According to the latest report from Grand View Research, Inc., the global polylactic acid market size was estimated at USD 713.22 million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 2,772.93 million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 21.4% from 2024 to 2030.
Advantages of polylactic acid
Renewable raw materials: Using renewable plant resources such as corn, cassava, and sugarcane, they are processed through saccharification, fermentation, polymerization, and other processes to achieve resource recycling and reduce dependence on non-renewable resources such as petroleum.
Biodegradable: In the natural environment, it can be completely degraded by microorganisms, eventually generating carbon dioxide and water, which will not pollute the environment and can effectively solve the white pollution problem caused by traditional plastics.
Low carbon emissions: From the entire cycle of raw material acquisition to product manufacturing, the carbon emissions of polylactic acid are much lower than those of traditional petroleum-based plastics, which helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and alleviate global warming.
High biocompatibility: Synthetic monomeric lactic acid is a common chemical substance in the metabolic pathway of organisms, and there are also enzymes in organisms that can metabolize lactic acid. It is non-toxic and harmless to the human body and can be used to produce medical supplies such as disposable infusion sets and non-removable surgical sutures.
Application of Polylactic Acid
Medical field
Surgical sutures: Polylactic acid has good biocompatibility and degradability. The sutures made from it can be gradually absorbed in the body, eliminating the need for secondary suture removal, reducing patients’ pain and infection risks, and are suitable for a variety of surgical sutures.
Orthopedic implants: They can be made into bone screws, bone plates, etc. Their mechanical properties are similar to those of bones, which can reduce the stress shielding effect, facilitate bone healing, and be absorbed by the human body after bone tissue repair is completed, avoiding secondary surgery to remove them.
Drug sustained-release system: By adjusting the polymerization conditions and the ratio of lactic acid monomers to control the molecular structure and physical and chemical properties of polylactic acid, we can prepare various forms of carriers such as microspheres, nanoparticles, films or stents to achieve sustained release of drugs, improve drug efficacy and safety, and reduce the frequency of patients taking medicine.
Tissue engineering scaffolds: The structure of polylactic acid nanofiber scaffolds is similar to that of natural fiber collagen, which can provide a three-dimensional spatial network for cells, promote cell growth and tissue regeneration, and can be used in the treatment of urethral lesions, cardiovascular stents, facial filling, and other fields.
Packaging field
Food packaging: Polylactic acid film has good transparency, glossiness, barrier properties, antibacterial properties, and printability. It can be used for packaging candies, fruits and vegetables, beverages, etc. It can effectively isolate food odors and extend the shelf life of food. It is non-toxic and harmless to the human body and meets environmental protection requirements.
Disposable tableware: lunch boxes, knives and forks, straws, etc. made of polylactic acid can replace traditional plastic tableware. They can be completely biodegraded after use, reducing white pollution.
Shopping bags, garbage bags: Polylactic acid film bags can be used to make shopping bags, garbage bags, etc. They have certain strength and toughness and are biodegradable, which helps solve the problem of plastic bag pollution.
Textile field
Clothing: Polylactic acid fiber has excellent properties, such as environmental protection, skin-friendly, breathable, antibacterial, anti-mite, flame retardant, no moisture regain, and UV resistance. It can be made into high-end fabrics for making underwear, outerwear, sportswear, etc. It is comfortable to wear and beneficial to human health.
Home textiles: Polylactic acid filament can be used to produce bedding, curtains, carpets, towels, etc. The fabric has good dimensional stability, the comfort of cotton, the drape of viscose, the strength of polyester, and the feel of silk.
Non-woven fabrics: Polylactic acid non-woven fabrics can be used to make diapers, sanitary napkins, nursing pads, medical dressings, facial masks, and industrial filter materials etc.
Industrial field
Auto parts: Japan’s Toray Corporation has developed car floor mats and spare tire box covers with high-performance polylactic acid fibers as the main component. It has also developed polylactic acid products suitable for other automotive parts such as car doors, rims, seats, and ceiling materials.
Electronic and electrical housing: Polylactic acid can be used to manufacture housings and components of electronic products because it has good heat resistance and electrical insulation. For example, the high-performance polylactic acid/kenaf composite material developed by Japan’s NEC company is used in notebook computer components. Japan’s Fujitsu also uses polylactic acid materials to make notebook computer cases.
Agriculture
Agricultural mulch film: Polylactic acid film can replace traditional mulch film. It has good air permeability and moisture permeability, can improve soil fertility, promote crop growth, and can be naturally degraded after use without causing white pollution, which helps to increase crop yield and quality.
Seed coating: Polylactic acid can be used for seed coating to provide protection for seeds, improve seed germination rate and survival rate, and reduce the use of pesticides and fertilizers.
Other fields
Polylactic acid 3D printing: Polylactic acid is one of the main materials commonly used in 3D printing, favored for its ease of printing and biodegradability, and can be used to make various models, prototypes, tools, etc.
Building materials: Polylactic acid can be used to manufacture bioplastic wood, which is a biodegradable building material used for indoor and outdoor decoration and furniture, with advantages such as environmental protection and biodegradability.
Conclusion
The unique properties, ease of processing, and environmental benefits of PLA make it a cornerstone material for sustainable manufacturing. The research and development of PLA not only represents the progress of materials science, but also an important milestone in human exploration of the path of sustainable development.
With the advancement of technology and the popularization of environmental awareness, the application of polylactic acid and its derivatives will become more widespread, contributing to the construction of a low-carbon and environmentally friendly society.
