From Plants to Plastic

How is Ingeo™ natural plastic made?

We start with an abundant, natural resource like plants, which can easily and efficiently be reproduced each year. When plants grow, they use CO2 and sunlight to create carbon – a process called photosynthesis. Today's technology allows us to isolate the starch from the other components of the plant and turn that starch into dextrose. The dextrose, or sugar, is fermented, in a process similar to making yogurt, to create lactic acid.  Lactic acid is a naturally occurring material that gives the “tang” to yogurt and makes your muscles ache after a work-out. From lactic acid we create a molecule called lactide. We remove water, crystallize it and create the high-performance polymer – polylactide (PLA) – which is branded Ingeo™ natural plastic and is used to make a variety of plastics and fibers applications.

 From Plants to Plastic (805KB)

 How it's Made/Unmade (7MB)