Kobe tests continuous process

30 June 1997 00:00  [Source: ICB]

A continuous polymerisation process to make polylactic acid biodegradable polymers is being tested in a semi-commercial plant by Japan's Kobe Steel and Shimadzu. The plant, with a capacity of several hundred tonne, is operating at Shimadzu's Seta site in Otsu, Shiga prefecture.

Kobe Steel is confident that the technology can be scaled up to 10 000 tonne/year capacity to lower production costs.

Until now the high cost of polylactic acid has limited its applications to the medical field with items such as stitching thread and bone-jointing materials.

More applications are being developed, including fibres, films and non-woven fabrics.

For the latest chemical news, data and analysis that directly impacts your business sign up for a free trial to ICIS news - the breaking online news service for the global chemical industry.

Get the facts and analysis behind the headlines from our market leading weekly magazine: sign up to a free trial to ICIS Chemical Business.

Printer Friendly