01 Jul 2024 --- A new meta-study report has found that unlike non-biodegradable polymers, which will persist and permanently accumulate as nano- or microplastics in the environment, polylactic acid (PLA) will hydrolyze into molecules of ever-smaller size, becoming soluble in water and eventually fully biodegraded. The fundamental characteristics of PLA, a bio-based polymer made entirely from fermented plant sugars, and its hydrolysis process indicate that PLA does not produce persistent microplastics. “This study is particularly important because it is a meta-study evaluating primary research conducted by many different institutions,” Erwin Vink, board member of Holland Bioplastics, tells Packaging Insights.
