bioplasticsMAGAZINE_0704

Materials
invest in smaller scale plants, the efficiency of PLA
production can be enhanced by focusing on dedicated
grades for certain application areas. Further
value can be added to these (co-) polymers by compounding
them into plastics and using nano- and
other technologies to improve the properties.
PURAC allows polymer producers to add value
in a revolutionary new way by offering two types
of lactide (L-lactide and D-lactide). By combining
these lactides in new and unconventional ways, the
improvement of the PLA heat-stability – one of its
key issues – can become a reality.
PURAC will deploy a business model, where lactide
is manufactured at an advantageous scale and
offered as a premium quality, competitively positioned
product to PLA producers. Based on this
lactide monomer customers will be able produce
superior quality polymer. This business concept allows
medium size and starting PLA companies to
be competitive in the PLA market.
The production of lactide is integrated into the
manufacturing of lactic acid and as such different
grades will be either processed or marketed
through PURAC’s global sales network. PURAC
partners do not have to concern themselves with
the production of lactic acid or lactide and hence
will see a reduced risk profile for the investment,
product management, logistics and warehousing
and operation of facilities.
Outlook
The flexible production unit in PURAC production
site in Spain will be used for lactide production
for selected partners early 2008. This unit will
be extended with the required steps to make high
quality lactide shippable to selected customers all
over the world. The investment path leads to the
industrial scale availability of a lactide production
unit in Thailand.
Since the availability of D(-) lactid acid is essential
for the highest PLA grades, PURAC’s lactic acid
production unit in Spain is being revamped into a
high quality D(-) production plant. The product will
also become available as D-lactide for PDLA production.
PURAC has commenced a focused application
development effort to support customers in
their use of lactide and D(-) products.
www.purac.com
24 bioplastics MAGAZINE [07/04] Vol. 2