What does biodegradable mean?
Degradation is the process by which materials decompose to become part of the environmental cycle again.
A biodegradable material is one that decomposes into natural products in a short period of time. Under the right conditions this process can take only months.
In the case of PLA, the material used by HEIS, the packaging degrades completely after 6 months in a composting plant.
What to know about PLA
The PLA developed by HEIS starts out as sugar cane. During its growth, the plant helps to reduce CO2 in the atmosphere. Once it is harvested, its fruit and product are separated from the surplus.
This surplus is used to develop the raw material for the plastic. This way, we do not influence the food supply of the sugar cane.
Initially, the surplus goes through wet milling. Here, the starch is separated. The starch is then mixed with acid or enzymes and heated. This process “breaks” the starch into dextrose (D-glucose). Finally, the fermentation of glucose produces L-lactic acid, which will be the basic constituent of PLA.
The advantages of PLA as biodegradable pharmaceutical packaging are:
- A product made from biomaterials that is compostable.
- It comes from renewable sources
- PLA has a shelf life equivalent to conventional plastics.
- It does not emit toxic fumes when oxygenated.
- Can be used for pharmaceuticals and food products
- It is also a thermoplastic, so it can be melted and reshaped without affecting its properties.
Where to get PLA biodegradable pharmaceutical packaging
If you are interested in packaging your products in eco-friendly materials, HEIS Global can help you choose the right one for your project. You can contact us using the form on our website or by calling +34 965 810 415.
