PLA

In recent years, a large amount of plastic production has led to concerns about plastic waste pollution and related environmental problems. One of the best solutions is to replace fossil-based plastics with bioplastics. Among a range of biodegradable plastics, polylactic acid (PLA) is the most popular. PLA is a recyclable polyester derived from lactic acid made from renewable resources such as corn starch or sugarcane. It can be processed into various products by extrusion, injection molding, blow molding or fiber spinning like all other thermoplastic polymers. PLA is not only widely available, but also safe to decompose after use and does not pollute the environment. Because of these properties, it has become the most used biopolymer in many industries such as agriculture, automotive and packaging.

Alfa Chemistry is a leading global supplier of PLA. We are committed to providing you with a wide range of PLA materials, including PLA granules, powders and filaments. This extensive selection allows you to find the PLA product that meets your specific needs.

How to Make PLA

The production of PLA involves a multi-step process. First, fermentable sugars are extracted from plant sources such as corn or sugarcane. These sugars are fermented to produce lactic acid. Subsequently, the lactic acid molecules are linked together by a process called polymerization, resulting in long-chain PLA. The properties of PLA, such as crystallinity and mechanical strength, can be adjusted during the polymerization process.

Performance Characteristics

PLA exhibits a range of desirable performance characteristics. These are as follows:

• Recyclable: PLA products can be recycled after use either by remelting and processing the material a second time, or by hydrolysis to lactic acid (the basic chemical).
• Biodegradability: When treated under appropriate conditions, such as in industrial composting facilities, PLA can be decomposed by microorganisms into simpler compounds, including carbon dioxide and water.
• High Transparency and Gloss: PLA exhibits high transparency and gloss, making it suitable for applications where visual appeal is important.
• Low Melting Point: PLA has a relatively low melting point, which can be easily processed and molded by injection molding, extrusion and 3D printing.
• Others: PLA is comparable to other traditional plastics such as PP, PET in terms of a variety of properties suitable for industrial use, including mechanical, physical, biocompatibility and processability.

Applications

PLA has a wide range of applications in various industries. Its typical applications are as follows:

• Biomedical: PLA has good biocompatibility and bioabsorbability, so it can be used in a variety of biomedical applications, such as fracture fixation, drug delivery and tissue engineering.
• Packaging: Since PLA is biodegradable, it can be used to prepare bioplastics for the production of loose-fill packaging, compost bags, food packaging, and disposable tableware.
• Textile: The product made of PLA has certain bacteria resistance, flame retardant and UV resistance. Therefore, PLA is widely used as fiber and non-woven fabric.
• 3D Printing: PLA can be used to make filaments for 3D printing. PLA feedstock is made into plastic filaments with diameters of 1.75, 2.85 or 3 mm. The filament is fed into a heated extruder that forces molten plastic through a nozzle to build the part layer by layer.

Our Products

Alfa Chemistry provides customers with PLA in different material forms. The specific products are as follows:

PLA Granules & Powders

PLA 3D Printing Filaments