The Use of Polylactic Acid in Food Packaging

Polylactide polymers have gained a great attention in the last decade to replace the conventional synthetic polymers and as a growing alternative packaging material for demanding food market.Derived from renewable resources, polylactic acid is recognized as safe for use in contact food articles. Thanks to the modern and emerging production technologies; its cost is lowering, giving rise to the possibility of extending its use for packaging application for a broader variety of products. It is recyclable and compostable, and its physical and mechanical properties can be modulated through the polymer architecture.