Rare earth modifier put into production to improve polylactic acid properties

   BEIJING, March 11  -- A Chinese-developed modifier, which was synthesized from rare earths to improve various properties of polylactic acid, has gone into production.
   The modifier has environmentally friendly advantages with extremely low cost and was developed by the Baotou Research Institute of Rare Earths in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, according to a report by the Science and Technology Daily.
   In a test, the polylactic acid added with the modifier showed improved properties, including the elongation at break, tensile strength, impact strength as well as bending strength, said Wang Hui, an assistant engineer from the institute.
   The polylactic acid, an environmentally friendly biopolymer derived from plants like corn, wheat and cassava, is considered as an ideal substitute for traditional petroleum-based materials, said the newspaper.
   The rare earth modifier is expected to increase the economic value of the polylactic acid by improving its toughness and heat resistance.  Xinhua