Production Cost Report
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Polylactic Acid
Polylactic Acid
PLA
Polylactide
Polylactic Acid (a.k.a. PLA, Polylactide) is a thermoplastic aliphatic polyester. It is different than most thermoplastic in that it is a bioplastic, which means it is derived from a number of renewed biomass like starch and sugar cane via bacterial lactic fermentation. It is semi crystalline or amorphous, rigid, resilient and ultraviolet light resistant material, with similar characteristics to common petrochemical industry plastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene and polystyrene. Polylactic acid is used in plastic films, bottles and biodegradable medical devices. It figures among the most consumed bioplastics worldwide.

Polylactic Acid Production Costs - Q2 2023

Polylactic Acid Operating Costs & Plants Capital Investment

Polylactic Acid (a.k.a. PLA, Polylactide) is a thermoplastic aliphatic polyester. It is different than most thermoplastic in that it is a bioplastic, which means it is derived from a number of renewed biomass like starch and sugar cane via bacterial lactic fermentation. It is semi crystalline or amorphous, rigid, resilient and ultraviolet light resistant material, with similar characteristics to common petrochemical industry plastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene and polystyrene. Polylactic acid is used in plastic films, bottles and biodegradable medical devices. It figures among the most consumed bioplastics worldwide.

Intratec offers professional, easy-to-understand reports examining Polylactic Acid production costs. Each study describes an industrial plant, including main process units and site infrastructure, and presents an independent analysis of capital and operating costs. All reports are based on the most recent economic data available (Q2 2023).

Polylactic Acid Production from Lactic Acid

This report presents the economics of Polylactic Acid (PLA) production from lactic acid using a melt process similar to the one proposed by NatureWorks. In this process, lactic acid is first oligomerized and then depolymerized into lactide, a cyclic dimer of lactic acid, which is then polymerized to yield PLA by ring opening polymerization. The economic analysis presented is based on a plant constructed in the USA.

Details: 140 kta United States-based plant   |   Q2 2023   |   106 pages   From $1,199 USD

The cost analyses presented in the report PLA E11A target a 140 kta (kilometric tons per annum) United States-based plant. For those interested in cost analyses considering other plant capacities and/or locations, Intratec offers a customized analysis as an optional feature.

Polylactic Acid Production from Glucose

This study approaches the economics of Polylactic Acid production from glucose syrup in the United States. First, lactic acid is produced from glucose syrup using a fermentation process similar to Cargill process. Then, lactic acid is polymerized into poly(lactic acid) using a melt-phase polymerization process similar to the one proposed by NatureWorks.

Details: 50 kta United States-based plant   |   Q2 2023   |   107 pages   From $1,199 USD

The cost analyses presented in the report PLA E21A target a 50 kta (kilometric tons per annum) United States-based plant. For those interested in cost analyses considering other plant capacities and/or locations, Intratec offers a customized analysis as an optional feature.

Polylactic Acid Production from Raw Sugar

This study approaches the economics of Polylactic Acid production from raw sugar in Germany. Initially, raw sugar is hydrolyzed into invert sugars. The invert sugars are then fermented to produce lactic acid, in a process similar to Cargill process. The lactic acid is oligomerized and then depolymerized into lactide, which is finally polymerized to yield PLA by ring opening polymerization, similar to the one proposed by NatureWorks.

Details: 140 kta Germany-based plant   |   Q2 2023   |   107 pages   From $1,199 USD

The cost analyses presented in the report PLA E31B target a 140 kta (kilometric tons per annum) Germany-based plant. For those interested in cost analyses considering other plant capacities and/or locations, Intratec offers a customized analysis as an optional feature.

Polylactic Acid Production from Corn

This study approaches the economics of Polylactic Acid production from corn in the United States. Initially, shelled corn is passed through a wet milling process to form corn starch, which is hydrolyzed to dextrose. Then, dextrose is fermented into lactic acid in a process similar to Cargill process. Finally, lactic acid is polymerized using a melt-phase polymerization process similar to the one proposed by NatureWorks.

Details: 140 kta United States-based plant   |   Q2 2023   |   108 pages   From $1,499 USD

The cost analyses presented in the report PLA E41A target a 140 kta (kilometric tons per annum) United States-based plant. For those interested in cost analyses considering other plant capacities and/or locations, Intratec offers a customized analysis as an optional feature.

Polylactic Acid Production from Lactide

This report approaches the economics of producing Polylactic Acid (PLA) from lactide in a plant located in the United States. In the process examined, lactide, a cyclic dimer of lactic acid, undergoes a ring opening polymerization in the presence of a stannous octoate catalyst to be converted into Polylactic Acid.

Details: 80 kta United States-based plant   |   Q2 2023   |   106 pages   From $799 USD

The cost analyses presented in the report PLA E51A target a 80 kta (kilometric tons per annum) United States-based plant. For those interested in cost analyses considering other plant capacities and/or locations, Intratec offers a customized analysis as an optional feature.

Could Not Find the Production Cost Report you Need?

If none of the Polylactic Acid reports listed above fits your needs, you can request a bespoke report examining the process you are interested in! You will have a report tailored to your needs, in which you defined production process, industrial plant capacity and location!

Details: Customer-defined Plant Location & Capacity  |   Q2 2023 From $2,900 USD

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