Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

hi ,

I've a doubt regarding polylactic acid. Despite its high potential to replace commercial plastics [mechanical strength,biodegradability , etc] , why is it still not used widely? I mean we've all awaited a material like this for long, and now its here. But no one finds this so amusing. Why is that so? Is it that the cost of its production is too high or what?

Hi V.Thawfeek,

http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/projec ... _no=408060 gives a USDA project to develop a cost Low-Cost Biodegradable Polylactic Acid Using Cheese Whey. You might try a member of the study team, Julious Willett, to get more background.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/AE210 gives a wonderful background on Polylactic Acid, including the answer to your question under the "History" section.

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20060036062.html gives a patent for the Process for the production of polylactic acid (PLA) from renewable feed stocks.

The above were generated supplying "polylactic acid cost of production" to answers.com. And are the top three hits!

You might find more by looking at later hits. I just noticed that hit four is the wikipedia entry. Always useful.

Please buzz back if you have any questions on the above.