Metabolix, Inc., an advanced biomaterials company focused on sustainable solutions for the plastics and chemicals industries, today announced that it will highlight advances in its PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate) biopolymer technology and its uses in modifying PLA (polylactic acid) at the 3rd PLA World Congress taking place May 27 and 28 in Munich, Germany.
Metabolix Vice President, Biopolymers, Bob Engle will present on PHA performance modifiers for PLA at the conference.
"There is a significant opportunity to expand the range of applications addressable by PLA, the current industry-leading biopolymer material, by rubber toughening it with PHA modifiers," Engle said. "We are developing proprietary PHA copolymer technology that is compatible with PLA and can modify PLA's properties to provide significant improvement in toughness and ductility, while still satisfying the market need for high bio-content and compostable solutions in applications such as single-use nonwovens, blister packaging and film."
Overview of Metabolix's PLA World Congress Presentation:
"PLA Modification Using New Mirel™ PHA Copolymers"
Tuesday, May 27 at 4:35 p.m. CEST
Metabolix has developed amorphous copolymers characterized with low glass transition temperatures to extend its PHA biopolymer performance capabilities. These PHA copolymers can effectively improve PLA's physical properties without compromising transparency, bio-content or compostability. Metabolix will showcase opportunities in a range of applications including fibers, sheet and film that are enabled by using Metabolix PHA modifier technology and highlight data on the PLA performance improvement. Metabolix is launching PLA masterbatch compounds incorporating the new Mirel PHA copolymers.
About Metabolix
Metabolix, Inc. is an advanced biomaterials company focused on sustainable solutions for the plastics and chemicals industries. The Company is developing and commercializing a family of high-performance biopolymers targeted at applications for performance additives that can improve performance and/or reduce cost in other material systems such as PVC, PLA and coated paper. Metabolix also is developing platforms for biobased chemicals based on its novel "FAST" recovery process and for co-producing plastics, chemicals and energy from crops. Metabolix has established an industry-leading intellectual property portfolio that, together with its knowledge of advanced industrial practice, provides a foundation for industry collaborations.
Source: http://www.metabolix.com/