Polylactic acid (PLA) is a bioplastic designed from plants, which we find in many single-use objects such as cups, cutlery, coffee capsules, yogurt pots. Problem is, it does not degrade below 60°C. Researchers from a laboratory on the Rangueil campus, the Toulouse Biotechnlogy Institute (CNRS/INRAE/INSA Toulouse) with Belgian and Thai scientists and engineers from the Carbios company in Clermont-Ferrand developed an enzyme, then integrated it into PLA so that it degrades it in open air, water or soil whatever the temperature. Published in the renowned scientific journal Naturethis work allows PLA to disintegrate in less than six months in a domestic composter.
Manufacturers looking for a solution to recycle their plastics
While its biodegradability is often highlighted by manufacturers, this biosourced plastic is almost never composted in reality. Our researchers have therefore developed a solution to integrate enzymes strong enough to be integrated into this plastic shaped in ovens at over 170°C. “Our team specializes in the development of catalysts that use biology to degrade plastics or produce new molecules through complementary chemical pathways.“, develops Isabelle André, research director at TBI. Once “enzymized”, the plastic disintegrates in less than six months, faster than the legal maximum time for use in domestic composting.
This polylactic acid (PLA) currently represents only 0.1% of global tonnages of plastic but manufacturers are very interested in it. Because they have to meet recycling and biodegradability standards but also in terms of image. “Many announcements have been made and solutions are sought. The time of greenwashing is behind us, these large groups have pressure from consumers and governments, they want to find solutions“, continues Alain Marty, scientific director of Carbios. The company also focuses its research on more widespread plastics as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) which it also works to depolymerize and recycle for major majors like L’Oréal, Pepsico or Michelin.
Carbios has also joined forces with the French group Sleeverwhich has a factory near Toulouse in Saint-Sulpice (Tarn). Sleever produces “sleeves”, these plastics which allow either in strips to contain two products to sell them in batches at an attractive price, or in labels stuck on containers to write the brand, the ingredients, etc. Soon, these “sleeves” will be made of enzymatic PLA, ready to end their life in your compost at the bottom of the garden.
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