PLA is a clear, nature-based food packaging innovation made 100 percent from corn, making it a natural fit for fresh, wholesome foods. And, because NatureWorks PLA is made from corn (maize), it can be composted.

PLA resin starts as the carbon corn plants remove from the air during photosynthesis and store in grain starches. The starches are broken down into natural plant sugars and, through a simple process of fermentation, separation and polymerization, the carbon and other elements in these natural sugars are used to make the plastic polylactide (PLA).

Environmental Benefits
PLA is derived entirely from annually renewable resources like corn, making it an environmentally preferable option to petroleum-based plastic packaging. In addition to its natural source benefit, the production of NatureWorks PLA uses up to 50 percent less petroleum and contributes 40 percent less greenhouse gases to the atmosphere than traditional plastic materials.

Disposable Benefits
NatureWorks PLA has the flexibility to be disposed of in several manners and fits most local waste disposal schemes. The multiple disposal alternatives of NatureWorks PLA means it can play a key role in landfill diversion.

• NatureWorks PLA has been successfully composted in applications where that disposal method is desired and a commercial composting infrastructure is in place.
• Recycling facility trials show that NatureWorks PLA can be collected through plastic recycling channels, and the technology exists to efficiently separate NatureWorks PLA from other commonly recycled materials. NatureWorks LLC is following the guidelines identified by the Association of Post-consumer Recyclers (APR) to help ensure the successful integration of NatureWorks PLA into the U.S. recycling stream.
• In addition to its ability to be mechanically recycled and composted, NatureWorks PLA has shown favorable properties for use where incineration is the preferred waste disposal system and offers potential for chemical recycling.

Biodegradable v Compostable
As a very simplistic explanation, composting is a complete form of biodegradability under certain consistent high heat and moisture conditions, resulting in soil. Biodegradability means that the object degrades into invisible, small pieces, however still existing instead of turning completely to soil. Rigid food packaging made of NatureWorks PLA can compost in roughly 45 days under the proper conditions.

About NatureWorks PLA
Based in Minnetonka, Minnesota, USA, NatureWorks LLC is the first company to offer a family of commercially available polymers derived 100 percent from annually renewable resources with cost and performance that compete with petroleum-based packaging materials and fibers. The company applies its unique technology to the processing of natural plant sugars to create a proprietary polylactide polymer, which is marketed under the NatureWorks® PLA and Ingeo™ fiber brand names. For more information about NatureWorks and its brands, please visit www.natureworksllc.com.