Metabolix
“Bioplastics are becoming a burgeoning industry as the cost of oil climbs and the disastrous nature of petroleum-based plastics is revealed in full effect. Metabolix have found a way to generate “significant amounts” of ecologically-sound bioplastic by growing it in directly in switchgrass. The fast-growing perennial plant is paving the way for a sustainable source of Mirel, the company’s biodegradable brand of bioplastic.
Mirel
Mirel is a versatile bioplastic with has many uses including food packaging, agricultural products, and consumer goods. It’s tough and durable, resistant to heat and hot liquids, and completely biodegrades when exposed to microbial activity in soil, marine environments, or compost piles.
Now Metabolix can make Mirel by combining genes of naturally occurring substances to produce a polyhydroxybutyrate (PHA) polymer that grows directly in switchgrass. As an added bonus, once the polymer has been harvested, the leftover plant can be used as a source for biomass energy. An efficient and versatile source of bioplastic such as this is sure to enable future generations of eco-friendly industrial design.
Mirel™ is a family of bioplastic materials made from a renewable resource, plant derived sugar. Mirel resins are durable but will biodegrade at the end of their useful life. Mirel resin is unique in that it shares many of the physical properties of petroleum based resins but is both bio-based and biodegradable.
Mirel resins are certified to biodegrade in soil and water environments, as well as home composting and industrial composting facilities (in areas where such facilities are available). However, like nearly all bioplastics and organic matter, Mirel will not biodegrade in conventional landfills. It is a distinctive solution as a high-performance bioplastic alternative in consumer goods, compost bags, business equipment, packaging, agriculture/ horticulture, and marine/aquatic applications.”
UPDATE
On Aug. 22, 2016 Metabolix Inc. announced it entered into a binding Letter of Intent (LOI) with CJ CheilJedang Corp. (a South Korean food company based in Seoul that manufactures food ingredients, food, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology) for the sale of its Biopolymer Intellectual Property and certain laboratory equipment. The company announced its intent to focus on its Yield10 Bioscience business to develop disruptive technologies for step-change improvements in crop yields to enhance global food security.
