Sustainability

Yes, Luminy® PLA is fully recyclable through both mechanical and advanced recycling (depolymerization) methods.

We actively work with customers to create closed-loop systems, collecting and recycling PLA products from events, hotels, sports competitions, and post-industrial waste streams. Recycled Luminy® PLA grades (rPLA) are also available with 20%, 30%, and 100% allocated recycled content.

Thanks to progressions in Near Infrared (NIR) technology, density separation, AI, and robotics systems in waste management, PLA can be easily separated from other types of polymers on the sorting line, including, among others, PET, PS, and HDPE. Purities of 97% have been obtained using NIR sorting of PLA, higher than most traditional plastics.*

*Technical quality of rPET. Technical quality of rPET that can be obtained from Dutch PET bottles that have been collected, sorted, and mechanically recycled, Wageningen University & Research (2016) https://edepot.wur.nl/392306

TotalEnergies Corbion takes the challenge of plastic pollution—on land and in waterways—extremely seriously. While the most effective long‑term solutions depend on smarter product design, better consumer education, and well‑functioning waste‑management systems, the compostability and biodegradability of Luminy® PLA can provide meaningful support.

A recent meta‑study by HYDRA Marine Sciences shows that, due to its inherent material characteristics—specifically its hydrolysis‑driven degradation process—PLA does not form persistent microplastics when it ends up in the environment. Unlike conventional, non‑biodegradable plastics that accumulate indefinitely as micro‑ and nanoplastics, PLA breaks down when exposed to moisture and water, preventing long‑lasting pollution.

No material should ever be released into the environment, and no certification should be seen as a license to litter. However, the same properties that make PLA compostable also ensure that, if it does escape waste‑management systems, its long‑term environmental impact is significantly lower than that of traditional plastics.

Read the Meta-Study on the environmental fate of PLA: https://www.hydramarinesciences.com/news-harris/meta-study-on-environmental-fate-of-pla

Throughout our communications, unless otherwise specified, the terms ‘biobased’ and ‘compostable’ or ‘biodegradable’ refer to EN16785-1 and EN13432 standards respectively.

Luminy® PLA is made from sugarcane, an annually renewable resource, while conventional plastics are made from non-renewable resources like oil and gas. The use of biobased materials is important for conserving our resources

The global warming potential of Luminy® PLA is also significantly lower than conventional polastics like PET, PE, and PP.

Read our peer-reviewed LCA

According to a recent study by Chaire CoPack, in partnership with AgroParisTech and the University of Montpellier, the certified EN13432 compostable bioplastics, including Luminy® PLA, fully biodegrade in industrial composting facilities. The study also found that the bioplastics positively affected the composting yield, did not have any negative consequences on the agronomic quality of the final compost, and did not generate ecotoxicity to higher plants, earthworms, and daphnia.

According to a recent meta-study by HYDRA Marine Sciences, commissioned by Holland Bioplastics, PLA fully hydrolyzes in water or humid conditions, leaving no persistent nano- or microplastics behind. This confirms PLA as an environmentally responsible material that does not contribute to long-term plastic pollution.

TotalEnergies Corbion sources its sugarcane through Corbion, which works directly with farmers in Thailand. These farmers must adhere to the Corbion Sugarcane Code—a rigorous set of standards that we helped develop to ensure ethical business practices, human and labor rights, and environmental protection. Luminy® PLA made with sugar certified by Bonsucro is also available upon request.

As a joint venture, we have access to the expertise and resources of both TotalEnergies and Corbion, strengthening our commitment to responsible sourcing.

Read more at: www.corbion.com/Sustainability/Preserving-what-matters/Responsible-sourcing

Producing 1 kg of Luminy® PLA requires 1.75 m² of land and 0.6 m³ of water, the majority of which comes from rainfall. The sugarcane used for Luminy® PLA is grown in regions with minimal water stress and occupies only 0.8% of Thailand’s arable land annually.

We believe in transparency and understanding our impact. Today, the entire bioplastics industry uses just 0.0015% of global arable land. Even if all plastics were replaced with Luminy® PLA, it would require only 1.23% of global arable land—small enough to not compete with food supply.

While land use is always a factor we consider, we believe the benefits are significant: a 75% lower carbon footprint than conventional plastics and 1.83 kg of CO₂ absorbed by the sugarcane for every kilogram of Luminy® PLA produced. It’s a step toward a more sustainable future.

*Whitepaper: Planting the future with PLA: Sustainability aspects and advantages of renewable feedstocks in bioplastics production