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New Corn Uses
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Polylactic Acid
(PLA)
PLA or polylactic acid is a
polymer (chemical chains) made from the lactic acid that is
a result of cornstarch fermentation. PLA polymers are used
in plastics that are competitive with and often superior to
hydrocarbon-based polymers and is completely renewable.
The U.S.
produces annually between 70 and 80 billion pounds of
plastics, mostly from “hydrocarbon” or petroleum-based
sources. If we were to replace theses plastics with
corn-based products, the process would consume 2 billion
bushels of corn annually, representing a significant market
for U.S. corn.
PLA
competes against four main hydrocarbon-based
resins—polyethylene, polystyrene, polypropylene and
polyester. By comparison, PLA: is inherently clear,
naturally glossy, resistant to moisture and grease and
naturally stiff; can be processed using most conventional
techniques and equipment and copolymerized with other
materials; and it readily accepts fillers.
Maybe most
important to early marketing efforts, PLA can be engineered
to be biodegradable in controlled compost situations.
Only about
25 percent of the total market is appropriate for
biodegradable plastics. Due to the significant market
opportunity of both biodegradable and non-biodegradable
plastics, companies continue to develop this market.
Most
recently, Ingeo (PLA Fiber) was designated as a "new generic
fiber" by the Federal Trade Commission, opening the doors to
increased use.
Applications of Ingeo include clothing, wipes, carpet tiles,
diapers, feminine hygiene products, upholstery, interior and
outdoor furnishings, filtration and agricultural
applications.
For more
information on
NatureWorks™ PLA and
Ingeo,
visit
Cargill. These sites have an extensive listing of
products, applications, and business partners.
Visit our
Corn Products Guide for a listing of PLA and Ingeo (PLA
fiber) products available to consumers.
For a listing of all new consumer products made from corn,
visit our
Corn Products Guide
Also see
NCGA's Searchable Corn-Product Database
for a more extensive listing of industrial products.
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