LApure

Worldwide the demand for lactic acid is rapidly rising due to its applications as a biobased platform chemical for the production of biopolymers through polylactic acid (PLA). Unfortunately, these more sustainable alternatives to fossil-based chemicals are still too expensive, which is a major obstacle to its adoption. Raw materials make up to a third of the total production costs of industrial lactic acid production, which currently fully dependents on the use of refined sugars as its main source of biomass feedstock. Nature’s Principles has developed an innovative technology to effectively convert alternative low-value biomass streams into lactic acid using mixed microbial cultures in combination with novel downstream processing technologies such as Mechanical Vapor Recompression (MVR). Based on preliminary techno-economic modelling, this integration can lead to a substantial reduction in feedstock costs for lactic acid production and a lower overall carbon footprint.

Another barrier to PLA’s adoption is in consideration of its end-of-life scenarios. Recycling of PLA is considered a promising route. TORWASH is developing technology to recover lactic acid from waste PLA with a minimal carbon footprint, but to achieve specifications for polymer-grade lactic acid and reduce the costs of recovered LA, the parameters for downstream processing need to be further developed.

This project will focus on the essential downstream processing steps for solid and water removal with a focus on lactic acid produced from cellulose rich wastewater and agricultural residuals and recycled PLA.