Polylactide or polylactic acid (PLA), a biodegradable, thermoplastic, linear aliphatic polyester based on lactic acid, a natural acid, is mainly produced by fermentation of sugar or starch with the help of microorganisms.
Modified PLA types can be produced by the use of the right additives or by certain combinations of L and D lactides (stereocomplex ing), which then have the required rigidity for use at higher temperatures