Glycerol is the New Raw Material for Biodegradable Plastic Production
December 10, 2014http://www.biofuelsdigest.com/bdigest/2014/12/09/swiss-scientists-produce-pla-from-glycerol-to-make-bioplastics/
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Polylactic acid is a biodegradable plastic used mostly for packaging. Manufacturers use PLA for disposable cups, bags and other sorts of packaging. The demand for PLA is constantly rising and has been estimated to reach about one megaton per year by 2020.
ETH researchers Konrad Hungerbühler and Javier Pérez-Ramírez in Switzerland have developed an eco-friendly new method to produce large amounts of lactic acid for biodegradable plastic production. The process is more productive, cost-effective and climate-friendly than sugar fermentation. The new method's greatest advantage is that it makes use of glycerol, a waste by-product in the production of biodiesel.
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