From Corn to Plastic

How is NatureWorks® polymer made?

We start with an abundant, natural resource like field corn, which can easily and efficiently be reproduced each year. When plants grow, they use CO2 and sunlight to create carbon – a process called photosynthesis. At a wet milling facility, the starch is separated from the other components of the corn kernel and into dextrose. The dextrose, or sugar, is fermented, in a process similar to making yogurt, to create lactic acid.  Lactic acid is a naturally occurring material that gives the “tang” to yogurt and makes your muscles ache after a work-out. From lactic acid we create a molecule called lactide. We remove water, crystallize it and create the high-performance polymer – polylactide (PLA) – which is branded NatureWorks® and is also used to make Ingeo™ fiber.

What is NatureWorks® PLA?

PLA stands for polylactic acid, or Polylactide, a versatile polymer produced by NatureWorks LLC. PLA is made from lactic acid. Lactic acid is made from dextrose by fermentation. Dextrose is made from starch and starch is made from carbon dioxide and water.

NatureWorks® PLA is the world's first and only performance plastic made from 100% annually renewable resources. Corn-based NatureWorks® PLA offers the cost and performance necessary to compete with traditional petroleum-based materials in the packaging and serviceware markets. Clear and strong like petroleum-based plastic, yet NatureWorks® PLA can be commercially composted.
 

For additional information please contact us via e-mail at simbiousa@aol.com  or contact our office or a representative near you.