WHY PLA, WHY EMNANDIBIOPLASTICS?
Polylactic acid (PLA) is a unique plastic that is produced from renewable resources, is biodegradable and recyclable
It is produced from lactic acid which in turn is produced from sugar
PLA can be used in a variety of applications owing to the versatile synthetic techniques leading to a broad range of properties
NON-TOXIC VALUE CHAIN
The materials in the entire value chain are non-toxic; this encompasses the starting materials, catalysts, intermediaries, and final products. The manufacturing process does not require any solvents and the only by-product is water
RENEWABLE, RECYCLABLE, BIODEGRADABLE
In addition to being recyclable, PLA biodegrades into its starting non-toxic material.
LONGEVITY
PLA can be fine-tuned for a wide range of applications including durable materials used in the automotive industry for example. This makes gives them the potential to produce products that are long-lasting and retain their economic value
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Relative to traditional plastics, the energy consumption to produce PLA is considerably lower and thus far more energy efficient. Furthermore, its carbon footprint is 3.5 to 10 times less than traditional plastics
POSITIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
One of the most powerful elements of this endeavour is that PLA would offset materials that would contribute to landfill or require incineration. It biodegrades into non-toxic materials (in addition to being recyclable)
SOCIAL EQUITY
Our aim is to establish production facilities for lactic acid and/or PLA in South Africa thus creating numerous jobs in a developing country and supporting the sugar industry which is currently in decline