We selected two raw materials for our final year comprehensive project design which are cassava and polylactic acid. Cassava is locally available raw material but polylactic acid is not locally manufactured. There is an ongoing project in Industrial Technology Institute to form polylactic acid from lactic acid which is extracted from coconut waste and sugar cane. Therefore there is positive potential to obtain all raw materials locally but the presently available option is importing polylactic acid for manufacturer or marketer. Cargill, Minneapolis, MN is one of such manufacturer and the cost of polylactic acid is 1.00 – 3.00 $/lb).
Cassava is traditionally cultivated during the maha season throughout Sri Lanka, except in the southwest coastal districts (Matara, Galle, Kalutara, Colombo and Gampaha) and Kegalle district in the mid-country .Sri Lankan farmers produce considerable amount of cassava yield in large extent of land. Following table will show comprehensive information of overall cassava production of Sri Lanka.
| Year | Extent (Hectares) | Total Production (Metric Tons)) |
| 2001 | 27,300 | 233,580 |
| 2002 | 26,380 | 224,980 |
| 2003 | 26,280 | 228,830 |
| 2004 | 23,140 | 220,780 |
| 2005 | 23,460 | 223,210 |
| 2006 | 23,460 | 223,380 |
Cassava is a seasonal product which is produce in Yala season (April to September) and Maha season (September to February). In Maha season the production is higher than yala season. The data analyzing according to the season is also important for establishing buying strategy for the proposed industry.
| Year | Extent in Maha Hectares | Extent in Yala Hectares | Production in Maha Metric Tonnes | Production in Yala Metric Tonnes |
| 2001 | 15,920 | 11,380 | 135,510 | 98,070 |
| 2002 | 15,030 | 11,350 | 130,090 | 94,890 |
| 2003 | 15,710 | 10,570 | 137,650 | 91,180 |
| 2004 | 13,060 | 10,080 | 130,460 | 90,320 |
| 2005 | 12,980 | 10,480 | 129,030 | 94,180 |
| 2006 | 13,280 | 10,180 | 132,300 | 91,080 |
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