PLA stands for polylactic acid, which is a bioplastic and thermoplastic made from natural materials such as corn starch or sugar cane. It is a polyester with backbone formula ₙ or . PLA is derived from renewable resources, making it an eco-friendly alternative to traditional petroleum-based plastics. It is biodegradable and has characteristics similar to polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), or polystyrene (PS). PLA is commonly used in additive manufacturing, particularly in FDM 3D printing, due to its low melting point, high strength, low thermal expansion, and good layer adhesion. It is also used in a variety of applications, including automotive parts, packaging, fishing line, netting, sandbags, planting pots, binding tape, ropes, and medical implants. PLA has some disadvantages, such as poor heat resistance and brittleness, but its properties can be improved by means such as capping of the end groups to reduce hydrolysis.