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A review on poly lactic acid (PLA) as a biodegradable polymer

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Abstract

Biodegradable plastics are among the most promising materials to replace conventional petroleum-based plastics that have caused many adverse impacts on the environment, such as pollution (land, water, etc.) and global warming. Among a range of biodegradable plastics, poly lactic acid (PLA) is not only widely available but also safe to be decomposed after its usage without polluting the environment. PLA is also in parity with other conventional plastics such as PP, PET in terms of various properties suitable for industrial usage such as mechanical, physical, biocompatibility and processability. Thus, PLA has become the most used biopolymers in many industries such as agriculture, automotive and packaging by having these characteristics. Its higher demand has contributed to a stable increment in the global PLA market. In fact, over the years, the market for PLA has grown up and will keep on expanding in the future. Overall, the PLA-based bioplastic would be an excellent substitute for the existing conventional plastics in various applications, hence will serve to protect the environment not only from pollution but also work as a sustainable and economical product. This paper will review all the recent related works and literature on PLA as the biodegradable material regarding its properties, usability, productivity and substitute.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) for their financial and logistic support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Jalan Datuk Mohammad Musa, 94300, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia

    Nur-Azzah Afifah Binti Taib, Md Rezaur Rahman, Sinin Hamdan & Muhammad Khusairy Bin Bakri

  2. Department of Mechanical Engineering and Product Design Engineering, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC, 3122, Australia

    Durul Huda

  3. Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, Jalan Simpang Tiga, 93400, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia

    Kuok King Kuok & Muhammad Rafiq Mirza Bin Julaihi

  4. Institute of Engineering and Technology, Department of Hydraulics and Hydraulic and Pneumatic Systems, South Ural State University, Lenin Prospect 76, Chelyabinsk, Russia, 454080

    Afrasyab Khan

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  1. Nur-Azzah Afifah Binti Taib
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Taib, NA.A.B., Rahman, M.R., Huda, D. et al. A review on poly lactic acid (PLA) as a biodegradable polymer. Polym. Bull. 80, 1179–1213 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00289-022-04160-y

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