Business Formed To Buy Post-Consumer PLA

Published: April 01, 2010

CONCORD, CA | BIOCOR LLC is a new venture in the business of buying, aggregating, and processing post-consumer polylactic acid (PLA). BIOCOR will capitalize on the ease with which PLA can be converted back to its original lactic acid feedstock for subsequent use in a variety of existing end markets.

Executive director Mike Centers says BIOCOR will pay recyclers an economically attractive price for PLA in any packaging format and work with recyclers to achieve efficient separation of post-consumer PLA from other plastics. The organization also will buy post-industrial PLA from converting and packaging operations and will collaborate on PLA recycling pilot projects, working with federal, state, and municipal entities, non-governmental organizations, consumer groups, and recycling organizations.

“Greater sustainability in plastic packaging depends on decreasing the carbon footprint of the plastics used and on recapturing and reusing a greater percentage of post-consumer packaging,” says Centers. “Plastics made from renewable plant sources such as PLA, which is 100 percent bio-based, offer a means to achieve these goals. I believe the economics of selling recycled PLA to a variety of lactic acid end markets are compelling. The BIOCOR business will conserve nonrenewable resources, lower carbon emissions, and reduce packaging waste.”

BIOCOR says PLA offers a true “cradle-to-cradle” end-of-life option whereby PLA can be completely converted back into its fundamental building block, lactic acid, and then reformulated into a biopolymer. PLA also can be commercially composted and used for soil enrichment. BIOCORE's primary focus is on supplying recycled PLA to those interested in lactic acid uses.

For more information visit www.BIOCOR.org.

What's happening at your company? Send your news to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..