Lactic acid is produced by fermenting sugar (from either sugar beet or cane) or starch (from wheat or maize).
In 2007, Total Petrochemicals signed an agreement with Galactic setting up a joint venture called Futerro to develop the technology required to manufacture bioplastics from plant matter.
A pilot unit was built on Galactic’s Escanaffles (Belgium) site and started up in 2010.
The plant can produce 1,500 tons of polylactic acid (PLA) – polymers derived from lactic acid – using technology developed jointly by the two partners. There is growing demand for plastics derived from renewable raw materials.
Today, PLA is mainly used to make food packaging and textile products.