Plastic materials can be made from PLA and formed into grocery bags, pens, television cabinets and toys. So far, researchers haven't found anything made from conventional plastic resins that can't be made from PLA. Center researchers and staff will help manufacturers fine-tune processes for maximum efficiency and for most desirable product features. They'll test product characteristics such as strength, color, degradability and compostability. They also will test product markets. The center is working to form alliances with plastic manufacturers in the region to introduce this new resin to commercial processing facilities.
An exciting development is a polylactic acid production facility in Blair, Nebraska, opened in 2002. For more information about PLA and the new production facility, you might want to visit the Cargill Dow Polymers web site.