Commodity Production Costs
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.
Commodity Production Costs
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.
Commodity Production Costs
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.
Commodity Production Costs
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.
Commodity Production Costs
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.