More About Polylactic Acid
PLA is revolutionising the world of plastics by offering a renewable alternative to fossil-based plastics. Our state-of-the-art biopolymer plant will be strategically located next to BCML’s integrated sugar mill in Uttar Pradesh, India. Used in various applications from packaging to textiles, PLA supports a greener, more sustainable tomorrow.
Polylactic Acid (PLA) bioplastics are made from renewable plant resources such as sugarcane, corn starch, tapioca roots and other plant-based feedstocks. The process of extracting PLA involves fermentation and polymerisation, breaking down naturally without leaving toxic residues.
Sustainable PLA Cycle
Circular Economy of PLA: A Sustainable Loop
PLA production in India follows a closed-loop lifecycle, from production to end-of-life. The sustainable journey starts with renewable resources, and can even be recycled into new materials.
Key Stages in the PLA Circular Economy:
- Renewable Resources - Sugarcane and corn starch as feedstocks.
- PLA Resin Production - Fermentation and polymerisation of lactic acid.
- PLA Applications - Packaging, textiles, medical devices, and more.
- Recycle and Reuse - Mechanical and chemical recycling methods.
- Composting - Industrial composting for PLA.
- Energy Recovery - Conversion of waste to energy.
Categorising Biopolymers
Where does PLA fit in?
- PLA is bio-based.
- PLA can biodegrade under industrial compost conditions, i.e. organic recycling.
- PLA is also easy to chemically recycle.
- Some contamination of PLA in the existing mechanical recycling stream does not affect it.
- PLA is one of the lowest cost biopolymers with great hardness and great transparency and the possibility to scale up
Technical Summary for Bioyug PLA
Balrampur Bioyug Typical Properties
| BCML Grades | Appearance | Physical Properties | Mechanical Properties | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Density (g/cm³) | Moisture (%) | Monomer Content (%) | MFI (190°C / 2.16kg) | D-content (%) | Melting Temperature (°C) | Glass Transition Temperature (°C) | Tensile Strength (MPa) | Elongation at Break (%) | ||
| BIOYUG_30U | Semitransparent for all | 1.24 | ≤0.04 | ≤0.3 | 30 | <1 | 175 | 60 | 50 | ≤5 |
| BIOYUG_30M | Semitransparent for all | 1.24 | ≤0.04 | ≤0.3 | 30 | 2 | 165 | 60 | 50 | ≤5 |
| BIOYUG_10U | Semitransparent for all | 1.24 | ≤0.04 | ≤0.3 | 10 | <1 | 175 | 60 | 50 | ≤5 |
| BIOYUG_10M | Semitransparent for all | 1.24 | ≤0.04 | ≤0.3 | 10 | 2 | 165 | 60 | 50 | ≤5 |
| BIOYUG_4U | Semitransparent for all | 1.24 | ≤0.04 | ≤0.3 | 4 | <1 | 175 | 60 | 50 | ≤5 |
| BIOYUG_4M | Semitransparent for all | 1.24 | ≤0.04 | ≤0.3 | 4 | 2 | 165 | 60 | 50 | ≤5 |
| BIOYUG_4K | Semitransparent for all | 1.24 | ≤0.04 | ≤0.3 | 4 | 4 | 155 | 60 | 45 | ≤5 |
Bioyug Portfolio
Manufacturing Diagram
The Manufacturing Process of PLA
Sugarcane
Sugar
Fermentation
Purification of Lactic Acid
Lactide
Ring Opening Polymerization of Lactide
PLA Pellets
PLA Applications
Thermophilic Anaerobic Digestion
Biofertilizer
Advantages of Using Bioyug
No Microplastics
A study by a premier government institution found that PLA microplastics break down safely under Indian soil conditions. Within just 180 days, microplastic particles reduced from 287 to only 18 particles/kg, demonstrating PLA's significantly lower long-term environmental impact compared to conventional plastics. This makes PLA a more sustainable choice for a cleaner future.