Bioplastic
Bioplastic is a type of plastic that is derived from renewable biomass, agricultural by-products, and used plastics with the help of microorganisms. It is either biodegradable or bio-based or could have both properties.
One of the common biodegradable bioplastics is polylactic acid (PLA), derived from corn, sugarcane, cassava, and molasses.
Market Needs
During the fermentation process in polylactic acid (PLA) production, the conditions for bacteria, such as pH value and temperature, are crucial to ensure the optimum yield of lactic acid.
It is important to maintain pH when lactic acid is being produced and maintain appropriate temperature, as acidic conditions and high temperature prohibit cellular metabolism and binary fission of the bacteria.
Solutions
Hydrated Lime
- Maintain pH in the fermentation process, creating an appropriate environment for bacteria without causing the temperature to increase
- In PLA production, it helps recover lactic acid by producing calcium lactate, which can be converted into lactic acid
