Application and Performance of PLA for Sustainable Food Packaging: A Comparative Review of Current Technologies

Polylactic acid (PLA) is widely regarded as one of the most commercially mature bio-based polymers for food packaging, owing to its renewable feedstock origin and compatibility with established processing techniques. Nevertheless, the functional performance and sustainability profile of PLA packaging remain highly dependent on material design, modification strategies, and end-of-life pathways. This review examines recent developments in PLA-based food packaging with a focus on comparative performance against conventional petroleum-derived plastics. Key technological approaches, including mechanical reinforcement through blending and fillers, barrier enhancement via coatings and multilayer structures, and the incorporation of antibacterial functionalities, are critically assessed in terms of their effectiveness and practical feasibility. Particular attention is given to how these modifications influence mechanical stability, barrier integrity, and food safety requirements under real packaging conditions. Beyond performance improvement, the review considers life-cycle perspectives to assess whether proposed PLA systems deliver measurable environmental benefits when processing energy, material inputs, and disposal scenarios are accounted for. Rather than positioning PLA as a universal replacement for fossil-based polymers, this paper identifies technological directions that balance functional performance with credible sustainability outcomes, supporting more informed and responsible use of PLA in food packaging applications.