POLYLACTIC ACID (PLA) AS A TOOL FOR SUSTAINABLE CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT: MANUFACTURING, USES, ECONOMIC VIABILITY, AND FINANCIAL MODELING

Abstract

This article examines polylactic acid (PLA) – a biodegradable biopolymer produced from renewable raw materials such as corn and sugarcane – as a key instrument for the transition of industries toward sustainable production models. The study analyses the production process and feedstock base of PLA, its applications across multiple industries (packaging, medical devices, 3D printing, textiles, automotive), its environmental and social advantages over conventional plastics, the economic viability of PLA production, and the financial modelling of investment in PLA manufacturing capacity. Based on a comparative analysis of three scenarios (optimistic, base, and pessimistic) and key performance indicators (NPV, IRR, payback period), the article demonstrates that structured investment and technological innovation can achieve long-term economic viability, with the initial investment recoverable within five to seven years. The study also examines the integration of corn into sustainable business models in the context of the circular economy and provides a methodological framework incorporating a mixed-methods research design, econometric analysis, and life-cycle assessment (LCA).