[Place à l’Xpérience] – Tomorrow's plant-based plastic
Global warming is now a major issue. To limit its growth and impact, greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced. This requires the use of non-fossil fuels and materials.
Polylactide (PLA), a bio-based polyester (derived from corn), is particularly attractive in this regard due to its biocompatibility, in vivo biodegradability and compostability. Its production is growing rapidly and today accounts for almost 40% of global bioplastic production.
PLA has good mechanical properties that allow it to replace certain widely used petroleum-based plastics, for example in packaging. However, it deforms with temperature changes and becomes brittle.
In order to overcome these obstacles, researchers are working on strengthening PLA either through chemical modification or by developing new PLA matrix composites that behave like elastomers while remaining compostable.
Already used in fields such as horticulture and biomedicine, PLA could find applications in long-life products in transport and sport, among other areas.
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