lends it a distinctive flavor.

Global demand for lactic acid continues to expand, with an estimated annual growth rate of 5-8% driven by the increasing use of biodegradable plastics, green solvents, and pharmaceutical intermediates. Worldwide production exceeded 1.5 million tonnes by the early 2020s, up from roughly 275,000 tonnes in 2006, and is projected to keep rising as biobased materials replace petroleum-derived products. Major producers include NatureWorks LLC, Purac, Galactic, and several