The invention relates to a method for the continuous extraction of lactic
acid from an aqueous suspension containing solids. According to said
method, the aqueous suspension containing solids is brought into contact,
in a counter-current, with an organic solvent that is partially miscible
with water, in a column provided with filling agents which have a surface
consisting of hydrophobic material, in such a way as to form an aqueous
phase and an organic phase, such that the organic phase is guided as a
dispersed phase in a section of the column comprising filling agents.