PLA

PLA is a bioplastic that has the merit of being both biosourced and biodegradable.

PLA is in fact classified as a 100% biobased plastic: it comes from renewable resources such as corn or sugar cane. Lactic acid, obtained by fermentation of sugar or starch, is then transformed into a monomer: lactide. It is the polymerization of the latter that makes it possible to obtain PLA.

PLA is also biodegradable as it is compostable.

PLA is a transparent and rigid polyester at room temperature, which distinguishes it from other compostable and biobased resins currently on the market. PLA is in fact characterized by a transparency and brilliance approaching those of glass, good "printability", resistance to grease and many organic compounds and solvents, and by intermediate barrier properties approaching those of polystyrene. PLA can therefore be an alternative to products of fossil origin in many applications.

Quickly, PLA has also become the most used filament for 3D printing. Its biodegradable character fits perfectly into the movement of three-dimensional printing (production of the bare necessities, on demand, relocated). In addition, filaments for 3D printing are generally made of PLA due to its very suitable thermal and mechanical properties .