A polylactic acid (PLA) production line, with a designed annual
capacity of 50,000 tonnes, has been put into operation in the city of
Bengbu, east China's Anhui Province. "PLA is a bio-based material that derives from roots, stems and
fruits of plants. It is a renewable material that can decompose into
carbon dioxide and water," said Li Rongjie, president of China BBCA
Group Corporation that runs the production line. After nearly 20 years of research and development, BBCA has become
China's first company to have mastered the core technologies of PLA
production, including bacteria preparation, fermentation, extraction,
purification and polymerization, according to Li. Being degradable, non-toxic and environmentally friendly, the
material is believed to have the potential to replace petroleum plastic
in the future. So far, the material has been applied in the production of a wide
range of products, such as bags, cups, bowls, farm film and even
clothes.
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