Scholarlink

<p><span>ʟ</span>-Lactide, the key precursor for polylactic acid (PLA) production, is industrially produced through a complex oligomerization–depolymerization sequence. Here we present a process combining lactic acid esterification with subsequent cyclic dimerization in a fixed-bed reactor using a silica-supported titania catalyst to convert gaseous lactate esters into <span>ʟ</span>-lactide, an approach that yields fewer chiral impurities. Using industrial-scale simulations supported by a detailed kinetic model of the dimerization reaction, we performed techno-economic and lifecycle analyses. The results demonstrate that the esterification–dimerization route increases <span>ʟ</span>-lactide productivity by 16%, reduces production costs by at least 10% (with a mean of 19% across multiple scenarios) and lowers CO<sub>2</sub>e emissions by 15% compared with conventional methods. When integrated into the full production chain, this process decreases PLA minimum selling prices by 18%. Total emissions are further reduced using PLA waste-derived esters, positioning this approach as a promising route for a circular PLA economy.</p><p></p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Assessing the industrial impact of an alternative lactide production method for polylactic acid manufacturing

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月21日

查看全文
  • G. Pomalaza,
  • M. V. Hickson,
  • W. Arts,
  • A. S. Narmon,
  • M. G. Rigamonti,
  • B. Lagrain,
  • E. V. Makshina,
  • M. Dusselier,
  • B. F. Sels

摘要

ʟ-Lactide, the key precursor for polylactic acid (PLA) production, is industrially produced through a complex oligomerization–depolymerization sequence. Here we present a process combining lactic acid esterification with subsequent cyclic dimerization in a fixed-bed reactor using a silica-supported titania catalyst to convert gaseous lactate esters into ʟ-lactide, an approach that yields fewer chiral impurities. Using industrial-scale simulations supported by a detailed kinetic model of the dimerization reaction, we performed techno-economic and lifecycle analyses. The results demonstrate that the esterification–dimerization route increases ʟ-lactide productivity by 16%, reduces production costs by at least 10% (with a mean of 19% across multiple scenarios) and lowers CO2e emissions by 15% compared with conventional methods. When integrated into the full production chain, this process decreases PLA minimum selling prices by 18%. Total emissions are further reduced using PLA waste-derived esters, positioning this approach as a promising route for a circular PLA economy.