As environmental protection becomes more and more important today, degradable plastic products have become a hot topic. Corn starch and polylactic acid (PLA) are widely used in the manufacture of degradable products. Although both are degradable plastics, there are many differences between them.
Firstly, the raw materials are different. Corn starch is extracted from corn, while PLA is extracted from corn starch or other plants such as sugarcane. Therefore, the production of PLA requires more energy and resources, but at the same time, PLA has more stable performance, better physical properties and processability.
Secondly, the degradation methods of the two are also different. The degradation of corn starch is mainly through the metabolic action of microorganisms, while PLA is degraded through methods such as light or heat decomposition. Therefore, the degradation speed of PLA is slower, but the waste produced after degradation is less and easier to handle.
Finally, cost is also an important difference between the two. Since corn starch is more widely available, its production cost is relatively low. The production cost of PLA is higher, but due to its stable performance, it has a wider range of applications.
In summary, both corn starch and PLA are important raw materials for degradable plastic products, but there are still some differences between them. Consumers can choose degradable plastic products suitable for their own needs based on their actual needs.