Corbion Purac (Gorinchem / The Netherlands; www.purac.com) has succeeded in producing high grade lactic acid from second generation feedstocks, for use in the manufacture of PLA. The company said the process involved optimising the lactic acid fermentation process to fit the special characteristics of the biomass. Corbion Purac is now inviting users of PLA to join a consortium to accelerate the market introduction of PLA resin made from second generation feedstocks.

“To fully commercialise and bring PLA based on second generation feedstocks to the market in commercial quantities, significant R&D efforts are still needed,” stated the company, which claims to be the first in the world to have made PLA from second generation feedstocks. Second generation feedstocks are feedstocks that are not suitable for human consumption, such as sugarcane bagasse, corn stover, wheat straw and wood chips.

In a separate announcement, Corbion Purac said it has acquired India’s Malladi Specialties, which produces lactic acid and lactic acid-based derivatives such as calcium lactate and sodium lactate. The transaction includes the sales and delivery of lactic acid and lactic acid-based derivatives in India but does not include production facilities. Production will remain with affiliate company Malladi Drugs and Pharmaceuticals (Chennai / India; www.malladi.com), which will produce derivatives on behalf of Corbion Purac. Financial details of the acquisition, which closed on 9 October, were not disclosed.