Industrial perspective validation of a neutralizer-free l-lactic acid production process by engineered acid-tolerant yeast Pichia kudriavzevii

l-Lactic acid (l-LA) is one of the most important three-carbon chemicals in the world. Its crucial role as the precursor of polylactic acid (PLA) (see Glossary) has led to a soaring demand for l-LA [1]. The global demand for l-LA is estimated to reach $2.67 billion by 2030, at a compound annual growth rate of 11.2% from 2024 to 2030 (https://www.qyresearch.com/industry-news/7036/l-lactic-acid). Microbial fermentation is an industrial production strategy for l-LA. Corbion, NatureWorks, and Henan