PYRATEX®

bio

AGRI-WASTE

Our PLA is a bio-based fiber (Polylactic Acid) formed by the polymerization of lactide, and obtained from Lactic acid. Contrary to other polymers, it is made with corn, cassava, sugar cane or beet agriculture waste, instead of petroleum.

To make our PLA, we:

1. Start with a milling process extracting the starch (glucose) from the plants.

2. Convert the glucose to dextrose by adding enzymes via a process called hydrolysis.

3. Ferment this dextrose into lactic acid using microorganisms. The lactic acid is then transformed into rings of lactide with a two-step process and so lactide finally will be linked together to form the long chain PLA.

Our PLA is harvested from crops grown for the animal feed industry. We use the starch to make PLA, while the proteins are used for food, avoiding any shortcomings to the animal feed industry.

This fiber’s manufacturing produces approximately 80% less greenhouse gases than that of traditional polymers: our PLA produces 0.62 kg of CO2 per kg, whereas PVC produces 2.42 kg of CO2 per kg.

Recycling and composting:

Composting: Our PLA can be composted in a two-steps process, first it disintegrates into lactic acid molecules, and then it is biodegraded by microorganisms.
Anaerobic digestion: Our PLA can be wholly compatible in anaerobic composting.
Chemical recycling: By applying a chemical process called hydrolysis in which the biopolymer is broken down into lactic acid, then converted back into biopolymer resin.
Incineration: Suitable for incineration and its heat content is determined to be 8,368 Btu/lb, which is higher than cellulose-based materials.