Process Integration and Life-Cycle Assessment of Moist-Solid Hydrolysis of Polylactic Acid with Lactic Acid Recovery via Electrodialysis.

ABSTRACT: Poly(lactic acid) (PLA), a biodegradable plastic derived from starch, has gained prominence as a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based plastics. However, the slow degradation of PLA in natural environments and contamination of recycling streams due to incompatibility with other plastics highlight the need for efficient recycling techniques. This study reports a sustainable closed-loop PLA recycling strategy by hydrolysis depolymerization under moist-solid condition and recovery of the valuable monomer lactic acid. By employing ball milling and resonance acoustic mixing, the effects of milling speed, time, ball size, alkali type, and ageing on lactate yield are investigated, to optimize the performance and the efficiency of mechanical and moist-solid conditions in polymer chain scissio

SUBMITTER: Luo H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12270370 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature