Abstract: Current industrial processes for the production of lactic acid are fermentative, using lactic bacteria which require large volumes and create large quantities of liquid residue which need to be treated. Chemical literature also describes the use of reaction systems with homogeneous catalysis, which also pose problems which in turn impact our costs, owing to the increased requirements in terms of the control of the process and the type of reactor necessary. Therefore, the process used thus far, carried out in hydrogenolysis, isomerisation and oxidation are defective, owing to the significant formation of sub-products, mainly pyruvic acid and acetic acid and the low yield of lactic acid. Lactic acid can also be obtained by the chemical transformation of other sources other than starch, but which are also renewable. The present invention provides a oxidative process for the production of lactic acid, in which the reaction with pure oxygen or oxygen mixed with air takes place below 100° C.

Abstract: Current industrial processes for the production of lactic acid are fermentative, using lactic bacteria which require large volumes and create large quantities of liquid residue which need to be treated. Chemical literature also describes the use of reaction systems with homogeneous catalysis, which also pose problems which in turn impact our costs, owing to the increased requirements in terms of the control of the process and the type of reactor necessary. Therefore, the process used thus far, carried out in hydrogenolysis, isomerisation and oxidation are defective, owing to the significant formation of sub-products, mainly pyruvic acid and acetic acid and the low yield of lactic acid. Lactic acid can also be obtained by the chemical transformation of other sources other than starch, but which are also renewable. The present invention provides a oxidative process for the production of lactic acid, in which the reaction with pure oxygen or oxygen mixed with air takes place below 100° C.