Method of producing a polylactic acid (pla)-based material

The present invention relates to a method of producing a polylactic acid (PLA)-based material comprising the steps of: a) providing an amorphous blend comprising poly(L- lactic acid) (PLLA) and poly(D-lactic acid) (PDLA); b) bringing the blend provided in step (a) to a temperature (TC,HC) of between glass transition temperature (Tg) and homocrystalline phase melting temperature (Tm,HC) and maintaining the temperature within this range until at least 5 J/g of homocrystallites are formed with a melting temperature below 180 °C; and c) bringing the resulting material of step (b) to a temperature (TSC) above melting temperature of homocrystalline phase and maintaining the temperature within this range for a sufficient time tSC to generate a poly(lactic acid)-based material with nano-sized stereocomplex crystals having a melting temperature higher than Tm,HC. The invention further relates to a PLA-based material obtained or obtainable via said method. The invention further relates to a PLA- based material comprising PLLA and PDLA and/or copolymers thereof, wherein the material contains at least 2% by weight of nano-sized stereocomplex crystals, based on the total weight of the material. The invention further relates to a PLA-based material comprising PLLA and PDLA, wherein the combined weight of PLLA and PDLA forms at least 80 wt.% of the total weight of the material; and wherein the material has a Heat Deflection Temperature of above 115°C; and/or a melt strength of above 5.6 MPa at 190°C; and/or drawability of more than 40% at 190°C; and/or the material is optically clear. The invention further relates to a PLA-based material comprising PLLA and PDLA, wherein the combined weight of PLLA and PDLA forms at least 80 wt.% of the total weight of the material, and wherein a sample of the PLA material exhibits strain-hardening behaviour when subjected to strain or deformation at a temperature above 160 °C, and wherein the same sample of the PLA material no longer exhibits strain-hardening behaviour when subjected to strain or deformation subsequent to being heated to a minimum temperature of 210°C. The invention further relates to a fiber, film, foam or sheet comprising said PLA-based material and a method of producing said fiber, film, foam or sheet. The invention also to use of said PLA-based material in packaging, automotive parts, textiles, medical equipment, agricultural equipment and electronical equipment.