In the current era of rising environmental awareness, the pollution caused by traditional non degradable plastic tableware is becoming increasingly prominent. Polylactic acid (PLA) tableware, as a new environmentally friendly product, is driving the catering industry towards a green transformation. ​

PLA is made by fermenting plant starch such as corn and cassava, and the raw materials come from renewable resources, reducing dependence on petroleum. Its most significant advantage is its biodegradability. Under composting conditions of about 58 ℃ and humidity exceeding 50%, it can decompose into carbon dioxide and water within 3-6 months, integrate into natural circulation, and significantly reduce environmental burden. ​

In terms of safety, PLA has passed multiple international food contact safety certifications, does not contain harmful substances such as bisphenol A, and does not release harmful substances at normal operating temperatures, which is superior to traditional melamine tableware that may release formaldehyde. ​
In terms of performance, PLA’s shortcomings gradually disappear after technological improvements. Blending with PBAT increases the elongation at break to over 100%, the nano coating reduces water absorption to below 0.3%, and the tensile strength reaches 40-60MPa, which can meet daily use needs. The characteristic of light transmittance exceeding 90% is also suitable for high-end scenarios. ​

Policies and market demand jointly promote the development of PLA tableware. China has value-added tax incentives and a “plastic ban” requirement, and the European Union has invested funds in researching and developing recycling technologies. Its market size is expected to grow at an average annual rate of over 25%. ​

At present, PLA tableware has been widely used in food delivery, supermarkets, high-end catering and other fields, adapting to existing equipment and with controllable costs. However, it still faces challenges such as high costs and incomplete recycling systems, but with technological advancements and large-scale production, these issues are expected to gradually be resolved, and PLA tableware will play a more important role in green development.