PLA (polylactic acid) is a biodegradable plastic made from plant materials and is currently one of the more environmentally friendly plastics. PLA mainly uses corn starch as raw material, and other plant materials such as sucrose, sugarcane, sweet potato, etc. can also be used. This makes PLA a plastic with a wide range of renewable resource sources.
PLA generally has good mechanical and processing properties, and polylactic acid products can be rapidly degraded in various ways after disposal.
Global market overview of polylactic acid industry.
According to Beizhes Consulting, the global market size of the polylactic acid industry was 2.159 billion US dollars in 2023, with a compound annual growth rate of 17.85% from 2023 to 2028.
The packaging segment market holds the largest market share.
Similar to other sustainable bioplastics, PLA has enormous market potential as it has been used in various packaging applications for food, beverages, and other short shelf life consumer goods. In addition, due to its versatility, this material can be used in a wider range of fields, including textiles, construction, and automobiles. Therefore, governments around the world are promoting the production and consumption of sustainable materials.
Analysis of Obstacles to Industry Development
Cost issue: The production cost of PLA is relatively high compared to traditional plastics, which may limit the willingness of some companies to adopt PLA packaging, especially in a fiercely competitive market environment.
Performance limitations: Some performance characteristics of PLA, such as heat resistance and oxygen resistance, may not be as good as traditional plastics, which limits its scope of use in certain application areas.
Supply chain instability: The production of PLA relies on agricultural products such as corn, and the supply chain may be affected by factors such as weather and agricultural policies, leading to supply instability.
Degradation rate: PLA requires specific environmental conditions to degrade rapidly. If abandoned in general landfills, its degradation rate may be slower, affecting its environmental protection effect.
Inconsistent industry standards: Currently, there are differences in the standards and certifications for PLA, and the lack of unified industry standards may affect its competitiveness in the market.
Green transformation of plastic manufacturing through dehumidifying and drying systems and biodegradable materials!
A modified plastic company in Guangzhou is a leading new materials enterprise in the Asia Pacific and globally. Our independent research and development covers products such as modified plastics, environmentally friendly high-performance recycled plastics, and fully biodegradable plastics, with an annual production capacity of 800000 tons of modified plastics. This time, the introduction of a dehumidifier and drying system solves the problem of dehumidifying and drying at the back end of production granulation. The dehumidifier and drying system+biodegradable materials achieve a green transformation in plastic manufacturing!
When preparing particles, it is usually necessary to dry the raw materials because moisture can affect the shape, size, distribution, and properties of the particles in multiple aspects. Dehumidifier and drying can improve the quality and stability of particles, reduce costs and energy consumption, improve production efficiency and quality, and also protect equipment.
The air pipeline of the dehumidifier and drying system adopts a closed loop system and is equipped with filters, so it is not affected by external climate. Ensure the stability of product quality and reduce the scrap rate caused by humidity issues. The insulation and drying barrel adopts a high-efficiency downward blowing diffuser design, combined with a cyclone exhaust device to greatly improve drying efficiency, prevent heat dissipation, and improve production efficiency. At the same time, it can purify the air and improve the production environment.
Due to the presence of starch in the raw materials, which have a certain viscosity, the design includes stirring during drying to improve drying efficiency, avoid particle agglomeration, and avoid affecting the drying effect. Improve particle quality, reduce energy consumption, and facilitate operation. Compared to traditional dehumidifying drying, it can reduce drying time by 30%, regeneration temperature by 20%, power by 30%, and save energy and costs.
