Materials
PLA lifecycle analysis must consider benefits, says NatureWorksnickmansley, 23 November 2007Be the first to comment on this article Lifecycle analyses of bioplastics for packaging should bear in mind the “improvement potential” of the material to avoid stifling innovation, according to polylactic acid (PLA) manufacturer NatureWorks.
"If lifecycle analysis does not include possible optimisation developments it becomes a tool to kill innovation in the early stages," he said. He added that, in the long term, the company planned to switch from using crops as raw material to industrial waste. Earlier this month, NatureWorks called for "mature discussion" on PLA, following Innocent Drinks' decision to stop using the material in its packaging due to concerns over the disposal of the material. "PLA can be recycled, but the infrastructure isn't there, and it isn’t for a number of other plastics either," said UK business development manager Eamonn Tighe. In October, Japanese plastics manufacture Teijin acquired a 50% stake in NatureWorks. US conglomerate Cargill owns the other half. Speak Your Mind |
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