Poly(lactic acid) is a biodegradable thermoplastic polyester,
which has been produced from renewable sources and molded into
a variety of articles for daily use, such as films, wrappings, laminates,
and bottles. Lactic acid is produced in part by fermentation of
corn; accordingly, we can reap a benefit of fixation of carbon dioxide
via maize growth on farms. The sustainable polymer has been
manufactured by direct polycondensation of lactic acid in azeotropic
solutions or by ring-opening polymerization of lactide, a
cyclic dimer of lactic acid