Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing lactic acid from a medium containing an alkaline earth-metal salt of lactic acid, comprising (a) reacting a conjugated base of an alkali metal from a subsequent step with the medium to form a water soluble alkali metal lactate salt and a basic compound of the alkaline earth metal; (b) separating the water soluble alkali metal lactate salt and the basic compound of the alkaline earth-metal; (c) splitting the water soluble alkali metal lactate to form a conjugated alkali metal base and a lactic acid product, which product is selected from the group consisting of lactic acid; and (d) separating the conjugated alkali metal base and the lactic acid product; (e) reusing the separated conjugated alkali metal base or the product in the step (a); and (f) reusing the basic compound of the alkaline earth metal, separated in step (b) to form an alkaline earth metal salt of lactic acid.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing lactic acid and products thereof from a medium containing an alkaline earth-metal salt of lactic acid, comprising (a) reacting a conjugated base of an alkali metal from a subsequent step with the medium to form a water soluble alkali metal lactate salt and a basic compound of the alkaline earth metal; (b) separating the water soluble alkali metal lactate salt and the basic compound of the alkaline earth metal; (c) splitting the water soluble alkali metal lactate to form a conjugated alkali metal base and a lactic acid product, which product is selected from the group consisting of lactic acid, a derivative thereof and combination thereof; (d) separating the conjugated alkali metal base and the lactic acid product; (e) reusing the separated conjugated alkali metal base or a product thereof in the step (a) and (f) reusing the basic compound of the alkaline earth metal separated in step (b), or a product thereof to form an alkaline earth-metal salt of lactic acid