Hooray for PLA
Corn based polymers are finally available in the Outdoor Industry
By Eric Steele
Finally, after almost a decade since its announcement PLA has made it to the Outdoor Retailer show floor in a form that we can consume: Socks.
PLA is short for Polymerized Lactic Acid, a virgin form of plastic that is made from corn or any other plant with a high sugar content. Aside from lessening our dependency on petroleum imports, there are other inherent advantages to working with corn instead of oil.
To be clear, I avoided anything to do with chemistry like the plague during my college years, hence the BA in Graphic Design. This is coming from the angle of recognizing and encouraging innovation in the marketplace. I like to study business practices as a hobby. I find it fun, I am weird that way. I am not going to pretend that I understand the subtle nuances of molecular chains.
The Outdoor Industry is full of contradictions. We love to play in the outdoors, but often, we use products that are quite nasty to better our experience. When Cargill Dow LLC announced NatureWorks close to a decade ago, key influencers in the outdoor retail industry seized it as an opportunity to take a stand against GMO. The Outdoor Industry can be as fickle as the stock market. If someone sneezes, many can catch the cold. The initial press conference was ugly, and Cargill Dow LLC who thought the technology they had developed would be embraced, was embarrassed.
These guys are no slouches though. Cargill Dow LLC retreated and focused on carpet and room dividers. And planned their return to the Outdoor Industry. Sure, discussions continued over the next few years, but the ground had been salted. Managers at Cargill Dow LLC shared a couple of things with me that they had come across during the discovery process shortly before they left the show floor.
A non-GMO stream was not only possible, it was easier than they first thought. They indicated that a "Kosher" version of PLA is a feasible option if there is enough support and demand. Also, if demand went as projected, the feed supply for livestock would be effected. That would present problems to Cargill, not good. Cargill Dow LLC needed another solution.
Solution: They do not need the corn itself, they could use corn stalk or any other fibrous plant. They were working with a process discovered in the 1940's that could split cellulose into dextrose. Or, in chemistry speak; break a triple sugar into a double sugar. This had implications beyond not effecting the feed supply. It also creates heat which can be directed into the polymerization process. Which further reduces the need for energy input and, as a result, pollution. Those devious petrochemical and agricultural companies trying to switch to corn. They should be applauded. They see the writing on the wall as well.
Lets talk about the GMO issue for a moment. Presently, there is not a second non-GMO strain of corn. GMO and non-GMO corn are commingled in the production process. So, GMOs make it in, but they do not make it out. Genetic information can not survive being polymerized.
So, how can we move forward and not support GMO agri-business at the same time? We could look to the energy industry as an example of offset programs that designate the amount you pay in towards sustainable energy. The rate you pay is higher but it supports a developing industry that eventually could help to save us from self-destruction.
Actions, not words.
And who was the company that was willing to grab this cat by the tail? Fox River Mills. Fox River kicked off it's Bio-Fiber line at the Winter Outdoor Retailer trade show this year. Being sensitive to this issue of non-GMO, Fox River pays for non-GMO corn as part of their offset program. We will highlight a few of their socks here to be sure. As well as any other company that embraces the development of a non-GMO PLA supply stream. The bigger picture is that there is a lot of catching up to do. PLA is only a source material. PLA research and development for fabrics was stunted long ago. There is much work to be done. Fox River has an inherent advantage to introduce this product because of their production process. When we see it in jackets, I'll be excited. PLA is a great idea even if the source isn't ideal.