When you speak of polylactic Acid or PLA, it is a biodegradable and bioactive thermoplastic and it emerges from renewable resources such as corn starch and even sugar cane. The usage of this material has attained traction in diverse types of industries because of its environmentally friendly properties and even versatility. There are companies that are redefining PLA for its inherent benefits as mentioned below:
Completely Environmentally Friendly
PLA gets derived from renewable resources and hence, it becomes a sustainable alternative to conventional types of petroleum-based plastics. Contrary to traditional plastics that depend on fossil fuels, PLA is formed of crops like corn and sugarcane that can be replanted and harvested annually. This is something that massively reduces the carbon footprint linked to plastic production. Additionally, the production process of PLA emits fewer greenhouse gases, and hence, plays a role in decreasing general environmental pollution.
Great level of safety for Food Contact
PLA is acknowledged highly for its safety in food contact applications. It is free from any sort of harmful chemicals such as BPA or Bisphenol A, which is discovered in some petroleum-based plastics. This makes PLA a safe and effective choice for packaging food products, promising that no toxic substances leach into the overall food. Consumers growingly prefer products that promise food safety, and even PLA fulfils this demand effectively.
Impressively Biodegradability
An important and compelling advantage of PLA is its biodegradability. PLA can easily decompose into natural substances like water and carbon dioxide in the realm of a few months under industrial composting conditions. This aids in removing the global issue of plastic pollution, as PLA products do not really persist in the environment for hundreds of years such as traditional plastics. Properly composted PLA drops waste and returns valuable nutrients to the soil, fostering a circular type of economy.
Applications Versatility
PLA is a versatile type of material that simply gets used in a wide range of applications. Its properties can be personalised to suit different needs, making it apt for diverse types of industries. For instance, PLA can definitely be used to manufacture disposable cutlery, food containers, packaging materials, and even overall medical implants. The versatility it has extends to its compatibility with current manufacturing equipment, which means that industries can easily adopt PLA without massive changes to their production processes.
High degree of Mechanical Performance
Well, even when it is a bioplastic, PLA does not really compromise on mechanical performance. It showcases high tensile strength and is comparable to conventional type of plastics like PET or polyethylene terephthalate and PS or polystyrene in terms of durability. This makes PLA apt and effective for applications that demand robust and reliable materials. The high impact strength it has ensures that products made from PLA can definitely withstand everyday wear and tear, even providing you immense level of longevity and reliability.
Conclusion
To sum up, the usage of PLA ensures that you get numerous advantages that make it an attractive and fulfilling alternative to traditional plastics. Once you do adopt PLA, you can definitely move towards a more sustainable time, dropping your dependence on fossil fuels and vindicating the environmental impact of plastic waste.
