Is PLA Biodegradable?
•Polylactic acid, also known as PLA, has been around for many years. However, major producers of PLA have only recently entered the market after securing funding from large companies eager to replace synthetic plastics. So, is PLA biodegradable?
•While the answer is not simple, we decided to provide an explanation and recommend further reading to those interested. PLA is not biodegradable, but it is degradable. Enzymes that can break down PLA are rarely found in the environment. Proteinase K is an enzyme that catalyzes the degradation of PLA through hydrolysis. Researchers such as Williams in 1981 and Tsuji and Miyauchi in 2001 explored the issue of whether PLA is biodegradable. Their results are discussed in the book Biomaterials Science: An Introduction to Medical Materials and presented at a meeting of the European Biomaterials Society. According to these sources, PLA is controlled primarily by hydrolysis, independent of any biologic agents. While many people may think that PLA is biodegradable, it's important to realize this.
• In fact, hydrolysis of PLA by proteinase K is so rare that it is not important enough to be discussed further in biomaterial science. We hope this clarifies the issues surrounding PLA biodegradability and we will continue our efforts to provide the best solutions for your environmentally friendly and biodegradable plastic needs.
In conclusion:
PLA is a biodegradable plastic widely used in everyday items such as disposable bags and cups. However, it can only degrade in industrial composting or anaerobic digestion environments, making degradation in typical natural environments challenging. Studies have confirmed that PLA degrades minimally in the marine environment.
Post time: Nov-01-2023
