Development of Sugarcane-Based Biodegradable Polylactic Acid for Medical Applications in India: A Sustainable Approach to Mitigate the Medical Plastic Waste Crisis

Abstract

India produces about 1.5 × 106 tons of medical plastic waste every year. This adds to pollution and makes the country depend on bioplastics that cost USD 500 × 106 per year. This study suggests a new way to make biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) from India's 400 × 106 t sugarcane output. The PLA would be used in medical devices like syringes and sutures. This method combines enzyme-enhanced PLA for quick biodegradation, the use of sugarcane waste. It is based on NatureWorks' Ingeo and Total Corbion's Luminy® PLA. The model cuts greenhouse gas emissions by 30% and production costs by 20%,. This makes rural areas more sustainable and gives people better access to healthcare. Experimental designs and life cycle assessments (LCA) prove that the approach can be used on a larger scale and has environmental benefits.