Polylactic acid (PLA) injection-molded water cups, chemically recyclable after use, suitable for high-frequency use scenarios
Recently, the Belgian company TripleW and the Finnish company Sulapac launched a research project to explore a closed-loop chemical recycling solution for discarded reusable PLA water cups, as an alternative to traditional industrial composting methods.
The pilot project focuses on reusable water cups made from Sulapac's Solid material. This material is a 100% bio-based, biodegradable composite material, whose main components include polylactic acid, cellulose, and mineral fillers. Researchers process these water cups through a hydrolysis process to extract lactic acid (a monomer of polylactic acid), which can then be reused in the production of polylactic acid.
"This is a significant milestone in the implementation of Europe's bioeconomy strategy," said Tal Shapira, CEO of TripleW, a Belgian company specializing in circular biochemicals."In this way, we can both phase out single-use plastics, improve the efficiency of bio-based resource utilization, and help our clients implement circular development models."
"Now, people no longer have to choose between bio-based packaging and recyclable packaging," added Heidi Peltola, Chief Product Officer of Sulapac. "Even reusable products can possess both attributes simultaneously."
According to the Finnish manufacturer, Sulapac's reusable water cups made of Solid material have significant advantages: they are not only 100% bio-based but also durable, with a ceramic-like surface, and dishwasher safe; they are also compatible with mainstream plastic industry processing techniques such as injection molding, and their formula has been specially optimized to meet the needs of high-frequency usage scenarios such as aviation, cruise ships, and fast food.
In the pilot project, these PLA water cups will be collected, crushed, and then hydrolyzed to extract basic components such as lactic acid after reaching their service life. Lactic acid has a wide range of applications, including personal care and pharmaceuticals. It can also be converted back into biopolymers using the high-efficiency "polymer-to-polymer" recycling process developed by the Belgian company TripleW.
Recycling Process Description:
1. Restaurant Scenarios: Daily use of reusable cups (up to 300 reuses) → Discarded cups are cleaned and shredded.
2. Hydrolysis and Purification: The shredded material is hydrolyzed and purified to form lactic acid.
3. Reuse: Lactic acid can be used in polylactic acid polymerization to create Sulapac Solid material, which is then used to remake cups.
