The structure of bone is one of collagen fibres reinforced with hydroxyapatite(HA)nanocrystals(nanoHA).While monolithic HA is essentially non-resorbable,the body must presumably possess the functionality to resorb nanoHA and indeed studies have shown a faster rate of biodegradation.In the present study,nanoHA has been used as reinforcement for polylactic acid(PLA)to produce enhanced materials for medical devices.This in itself is not new,however a novel hydrothermal process has been used to obtain nanoHA in a platelet shape.This has enabled the scalable production of materials that make use of the unique properties seen in intercalated clay nanocomposites but in a form that is fully resorbable.The materials have been made through an industrially-relevant melt compounding process and medical grade PLA has been used to ensure appropriate processing conditions have been identified.