PLA & CPLA Range
Product Information
Hot Cups, Clear Cups, Lids, or Straws, we have a range of PLA and CPLA products available.
PLA
PLA stands for Polylactic Acid. In simpler terms, it’s a bioplastic made from renewable resources like sugarcane and cornstarch. Traditional cups use oil-based plastic linings. PLA uses plants. This means it relies on renewable resources rather than fossil fuels.
It is designed to be commercially composted. When sent to the right facility, it breaks down into nutrient-rich soil.
CPLA
The crystallised form of PLA - its heat tolerant cousin. CPLA is commercially compostable but is opaque instead of clear, and a bit more hardy.
What exactly is PLA?
Polylactic acid or polylactide (PLA) is a polyester derived from plant sugars such as corn starch or sugarcane, that are then fermented.
How is PLA made?
The process of making PLA involves several steps, primarily focusing on the fermentation of natural sugars and the polymerization of lactic acid.
Polylactic acid (PLA) is made by extracting starch from renewable sources like corn or sugarcane, which is then hydrolyzed into simple sugars such as glucose. These sugars are fermented to produce lactic acid, and purified to remove impurities. It then goes through a chemical process to turn this lactic acid into a polymer, which can be made into pellets, perfect for moulding into various packaging products.
What's the difference between PLA and CPLA?
CPLA is crystallised PLA. The same materials, but slightly thicker, and therefore a stronger and more sturdy version of PLA. Where higher temperature food or drink are being used, CPLA will give the product better heat resistance - helpful in our decent products to ensure they can hold any food or drink needed.
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