Study questioning eco-credentials of bio-based plastic flawed

The paper from the University of Massachusetts-Lowell contained erroneous data about the bio-based plastic

A recent study that found no bio-based plastics are fully sustainable contained significant inaccuracies and was based on out of date information, according to the leading manufacturer of one of the materials covered in the research.

US-based company NatureWorks, which produces more than 90% of global polylactic acid (PLA), told FoodProductionDaily.com the paper from the University of Massachusetts-Lowell contained erroneous data about the bio-based plastic.

The research, published in the Journal of Cleaner Production, raised a number of environmental and occupational health and safety concerns about the production of a raft of biobased plastics – including PLA, starch (pure thermoplastic starch: TPS), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), and nano-biocomposites.

NatureWorks said much of the research was sound but that part of the paper identifying methodologies where the biopolymers industry could be more sustainable, “needs clarification and correction of factual errors”.

… Full Text: http://www.foodproductiondaily.com/Packaging/Study-questioning-eco-credentials-of-bio-based-plastic-flawed-NatureWorks

Tags: bioplastics, bio-based, polylactic acid, PLA

Source

Food Production Daily, 2012-04-26.

Supplier

Journal of Cleaner Production
McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC)
NatureWorks LLC
University of Massachusetts Lowell

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