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Manufacturing process significantly impacts the rate of degradation of polylactic acid (PLA) under controlled composting conditions

Environmental Sustainability 2025 3 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count.
Jennie O'Loughlin, Hannah McDonnell, Robyn Lawless, Susan M. Kelleher, Samantha Fahy, Brian Freeland, Keith D. Rochfort, Jennifer Gaughran

Summary

This study reveals that the specific manufacturing and post-processing methods used to produce polylactic acid (PLA) significantly influence how quickly the material breaks down under controlled industrial composting conditions, indicating that processing choices are a key but underappreciated variable in PLA's real-world biodegradability.

Polymers

This study reveals that distinct processing and postprocessing methods can significantly affect the rate of disintegration of PLA during composting.

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