PLASTIC PRODUCTS - Plastics and Environmental Sustainability - page 167

(or d:l) in the polymer (Garlotta, 2001). Two routes to a
high-molecular-weight PLA are shown in the figure.
Figure 4.16 Schematic of PHA production facility illustrating the recycling
of solid and water waste into sugarcane field. Source: Based on information
from Nonato et al. (2001).
PLA is a semicrystalline plastic that can be injection molded, extruded or
blown into film, spun into fibers, 24 blow molded, extruded, and expansion
molded. The somewhat lower thermal stability and impact strength (Lim et
al., 2008) as well as the moderate oxygen/water permeability (van Tuil et
al., 2000) may limit its use in some applications despite its low cost (Lunt,
1998). Compostability of PLA is emphasized in marketing PLA products;
even though the product is compostable, it does not readily biodegrade
under ambient conditions or under anaerobic conditions (Integrated Waste
Management Board, 2007) (see also Chapter 6 ).
But PLA is not suited for all applications: a drawback, for instance, is that
in unblended form, it softens at approximately 60°C. The biobased polymer