Scientists have developed a novel technique to make production of biodegradable plastic cheaper and greener. The findings could help make the biodegradable plastic known as polylactic acid (PLA) a full-fledged alternative to cheaper traditional petroleum-based plastics. PLA is not yet considered a full alternative to traditional petroleum-based plastics, as it is costly to produce.
Researchers from the KU Leuven Centre for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis in Belgium now present a way to make the PLA production process more simple and waste-free.
"Our new method has several advantages compared to the traditional technique: We produce more PLA with less waste and without using metals. In addition, the production process is cheaper, because we can skip a step," said one of the researchers, Michiel Dusselier, from the University of Leuven in Belgium.
Fermentation turns sugar into lactic acid, which in turn is a building block for polylactic acid. The production process for PLA is expensive because of the intermediary steps.
Explaining the new method for PLA production, Dusselier noted, "We have applied a petrochemical concept to biomass."
"Of course, PLA will never fully replace petroleum-based plastics. Some objects such as toilet drain pipes are not meant to be biodegradable. And it is not our intention to promote disposable plastic. But products made of PLA can now become cheaper and greener," professor Bert Sels from KU Leuven Centre for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis explained.
The report were published in the journal Science.
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