Issue 04/2018

daily upated news at
www.bioplasticsmagazine.com
News
Global L-lactide market set for explosive growth
The global L-lactide market was valued at US$ 781.81
Mn in 2017 and is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 14.1%
from 2018 to 2026, according to a new report titled "L-lactide
Market: Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth Trends,
and Forecast, 2018–2026," published by Transparency Market
Research (TMR).
The main driver behind this growth is the rising demand
for bioplastics. Polylactic acid – PLA – is a commonly used
bioplastics that is derived from L-lactide. Around the globe,
consumers are increasingly indicating a preference for
biodegradable materials as their awareness grows about the
environmental impact of the use of fossil-based materials.
North America accounts for a major share of the global
L-lactide market.
The properties of L-lactide, such as sustainability, its barrier
properties and appearance, make it ideal for use in packaging
applications. Stringent regulations on plastic consumption
in developed regions such as North America and Europe are
expected to have a positive influence on the expansion of the
L-lactide market.
Next to packaging, another area that is likely to stimulate
the growth of the global L-lactide market is that of biomedical
applications.
Demand for L-lactide from various medical fields, such
as controlled drug delivery systems, tissue regeneration,
and medical implants, is on the rise owing to the favourable
biocompatibility and the mechanical properties of the material.
L-lactide is finding increasing use in biomedical applications
such as orthopaedics, drug carriers, facial fracture repair,
tissue engineering, and uteral stents, which is expected
to add to the growth potential of the L-lactide market. The
emergence of nanotechnology and material science using
biomaterials has prompted researchers and manufacturers
of medical devices to come up with advanced technologies
using L-lactide.
L-Lactides are also increasingly being applied in soil
retention sheeting, agricultural films, and waste bags.
Agricultural mulches, seeding strips, and tapes can today
be made from PLA. Mulches help reduce evaporation and
conserve moisture, increase soil temperature, and keep weeds
under control. The successful replacement of petroleumbased
materials will offer new value added markets for
agricultural commodities and reduce the dependence on
foreign crude oil and gas.
The global L-lactide market is dominated by the food &
beverage packaging segment. L-lactides have been used as
packaging materials in the last few years, mainly as containers
for dairy, bakery, and fresh food products. Food containers,
bags and cups, disposable serviceware and utensils,
lamination or coatings for paper and paperboard, foam
products for trays, and other packaging materials and films
manufactured using L-lactide are gaining popularity due to
the favourable material properties and superior performance
of the material. However, the low heat distortion temperature
of L-lactide restricts its use to ambient temperatures.
In terms of consumption, North America accounted
for a major share of the global L-lactide market in 2017.
Implementation of favourable government policies and
regulations on plastic consumption have propelled the
expansion of the L-lactide market in developed countries.
The federal government aims to drive demand for biobased
products through procurement programs. Increased
consumer preference for biodegradable materials and rise in
environmental concerns are anticipated to drive the L-lactide
market in North America. MT
bit.ly/2NKvN5c
Picks & clicks
Most frequently clicked news
Here’s a look at our most popular online content of the past two months.
The story that got the most clicks from the visitors to
bioplasticsmagazine.com was:
Bio-based multilayer transparent barrier films are now reality
(19 June 2018)
Four key players in the bioplastics industry - Eurotech Extrusion Machinery,
NatureWorks, Nippon Gohsei and Sukano - have successfully processed a
multilayer transparent bio-based barrier film, offering a potential replacement
for conventional fossil fuel-based structures in dry food packaging...
See also the full article on page 38
bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13 5