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What is PLA and CPLA Compostable Plastic?

Feb. 20, 2025
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As more people make sustainable and environmentally friendly choices, two common compostable plastics have gained attention: Polylactic Acid (PLA) and Crystallized Polylactic Acid (CPLA).

 

Cpla compostable Plastic is Environmentally Safe

PLA and CPLA are popular compostable plastics typically made from cornstarch and other vegetable materials, making them sustainable, compostable, and renewable. CPLA, or Crystallized PLA, is heat-resistant and ideal for food service items like cutlery, takeaway containers, coffee cup lids, and soup containers. It is not transparent and is usually white, although charcoal can be added to create a black color. PLA, on the other hand, is used for cold food service items such as cups, salad containers, deli pots, lids, bags (like trash bags), and clear windows in sandwich boxes or bags, and it is transparent. Both PLA and CPLA are non-toxic, making them suitable for medical applications such as implants, orthopedic devices, and drug delivery systems.

 

What is PLA Made Of?

PLA, or Polylactic Acid, is typically made from fermented food starch, often derived from corn, sugarcane, sugar beet pulp, or cassava. This starch is combined with lactic acid and cyclic di-ester lactide, resulting in a compostable, renewable, sustainable, and ethical plastic product.

 

Unlike thermoplastics, which are petroleum-based, PLA is produced from raw, organic materials. Despite this difference, PLA retains properties comparable to conventional plastics, making it an increasingly popular choice among eco-conscious consumers.

 

The production of PLA starts with carbohydrate-rich materials, chosen for their suitability for fermentation. These materials are processed in a controlled environment, where the starch is extracted and mixed with enzymes or acid. This mixture is then heated to break down the starch into dextrose, or corn sugar.

 

The next step is fermentation, which produces L-Lactic acid, the fundamental building block of PLA. The manufacturing process of PLA is nearly carbon neutral, does not release toxic fumes, uses less energy than conventional plastic production, generates fewer greenhouse gases, and provides job opportunities in rural areas.

 

{Biodegradable Cutlery Manufacturer}

 

What Are the Benefits of PLA?

PLA offers numerous benefits, including being non-toxic, compostable, renewable, sustainable, and organic. Made from raw materials, PLA can be composted in both home composters and industrial composting facilities, returning to its natural form.

 

The manufacturing process of PLA is more sustainable and environmentally friendly compared to traditional plastics. It does not release toxic fumes, uses 65 percent less energy, and emits 68 percent fewer greenhouse gases.

 

The raw materials used for PLA are sustainable since the crops can be replanted and continuously grown. PLA is also a thermoplastic, meaning it can be melted and reshaped without significant loss of its mechanical properties, making it both recyclable and compostable.

 

Additionally, PLA production promotes job creation and rural development. According to European Bioplastics, up to 300,000 jobs could be created in the European bio-market by 2030. The United States Food and Drug Administration recognizes PLA as safe, making it suitable for food packaging and medical use.

 

What Are the Disadvantages of PLA?

Despite its advantages, PLA does have several drawbacks, although these are not significant enough to deter people from choosing it as a safer alternative to traditional plastics. PLA has a low glass transition temperature, causing it to soften and deform at temperatures as low as 111°F. Consequently, PLA is less durable than other plastics and cannot withstand heat from items such as food or beverages, or prolonged exposure to sunlight or a hot car dashboard.

 

Moreover, PLA is not biodegradable, meaning that if not disposed of properly—in a home or industrial composting facility—it will take as long as conventional plastic to break down. Additionally, PLA raises the acidity of its surroundings during disposal, potentially causing minor issues.

 

Corn, the primary source of PLA, has faced criticism due to widespread genetic modification (GMO). Corn's versatility extends beyond food to items like corn syrup, ethanol, and animal feed. However, traditional farming practices degrade soil and contribute to harmful runoff into waterways. The pesticides and fertilizers used in corn production can also impact aquatic ecosystems.

Further reading:
The Benefits and Applications of Honeycomb Polycarbonate Sheets

 

Nevertheless, despite these drawbacks, the environmental benefits of using corn for products like PLA plastics outweigh those of traditional petroleum-based plastics, which pose greater harm to the environment in both the short and long term.

 

What Are the Benefits of CPLA?

CPLA shares many benefits with PLA since they are essentially the same material. However, CPLA has the added advantage of being able to withstand higher temperatures than traditional PLA—up to 185°F. This makes it suitable for hot items such as food, coffee, and soups. Additionally, CPLA is compostable in both home composters and industrial composting facilities.

 

What Are the Disadvantages of CPLA?

Despite its advantages, CPLA shares the same disadvantages as PLA since they are manufactured in much the same way, using organic materials. This means that if not disposed of properly, CPLA can have the same impact on landfills as PLA. However, CPLA's ability to withstand higher temperatures distinguishes it from PLA in terms of its application suitability.

 

How Does PLA Compostable Plastic Compare to Traditional Plastic?

PLA plastic stands as a superior alternative to traditional plastics for numerous reasons. Made from raw materials, PLA is sustainable, renewable, and compostable. Its manufacturing process consumes less energy, emits fewer greenhouse gases, and fosters job creation in rural areas, which contrasts starkly with the environmental impact of traditional plastics.

 

Moreover, PLA plastic is non-toxic and versatile, finding applications in various sectors from food packaging and carry bags to cutlery and food service items. It is certified to decompose in an industrial composting facility within six months.

 

However, despite its advantages, PLA closely resembles traditional plastics like PET in appearance and properties. This similarity may lead consumers to mistake PLA for conventional plastic, resulting in improper disposal. Additionally, PLA cannot withstand high temperatures and must not be used with hot items, though CPLA offers this capability.

 

Improper disposal of PLA contributes to landfill and ocean pollution, mirroring the concerns associated with traditional plastics. Furthermore, these products cannot be placed in recycling bins, exacerbating waste management challenges.

 

Conclusion

Compostable bioplastics like PLA and CPLA are gaining traction among consumers due to their lower environmental impact and increased availability. Both are primarily derived from cornstarch and other vegetable materials, rendering them sustainable, compostable, and renewable.

 

CPLA shares the same composition as PLA but has been crystallized, granting it the ability to withstand higher temperatures and giving it a white appearance instead of transparency. Charcoal can be added to CPLA to achieve a black color without compromising its compostability.

 

However, confusion between PLA and traditional plastics sometimes leads to improper disposal, causing PLA to end up in landfills instead of breaking down rapidly in composting facilities.

 

The manufacturing process of these bioplastics is eco-friendly, offering a viable alternative to traditional plastic production with reduced energy consumption, fewer greenhouse gas emissions, and absence of toxic fumes.

 

Their versatility allows for diverse applications, spanning from food service items, food storage, and trash bags to medical uses such as implants, drug delivery systems, and orthopedic devices. CPLA's ability to withstand higher heat makes it an excellent substitute for plastics like polystyrene in coffee cups, soup containers, and other hot items.

 

Both PLA and CPLA compostable plastic are non-toxic, meaning they are safe for the above applications. However, corn crops can raise environmental concerns such as soil degradation and the release of toxic runoff from the pesticides and fertilizers used.

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