 "Metabolix inks pact with CJ CheilJedang to make biodegradable polymers PHAs")
Don't want to miss the best from Business Standard?
Metabolix Inc, the US-based advanced biomaterials company focused on sustainable solutions for the plastics industry, has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Korean firm CJ CheilJedang Corporation (CJ) for a strategic commercial manufacturing arrangement for specialty polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), including Metabolix’s newly launched amorphous PHA (a-PHA).
As per the MoU, the companies have agreed to work together toward the successful conclusion of definitive agreements under which CJ will fund, construct and operate a 10 kilo tonne (KT) PHA production unit at CheilJedang’s Fort Dodge (Iowa, USA) facility based on Metabolix's PHA technology. Under the contemplated definitive agreements, Metabolix will buy the specialty PHAs produced at the Fort Dodge facility from CJ, and market and sell the materials to its commercial customers. The companies also expect to define a framework for longer term expansion of the collaboration for larger scale PHA production and related commercial activities.
In late 2015 and early 2016, Metabolix and CJ undertook a comprehensive feasibility study and assessment of CJ's Fort Dodge facility as a potential site for specialty PHA production. With the successful conclusion of the feasibility study and engineering plans, CJ is finalising a detailed budget for the capital investment needed to establish 10 KT of annual PHA capacity on the site and the two companies are turning their attention to the definitive agreements for the project.
Metabolix has developed an extensive technology platform around a family of bio-based and inherently biodegradable polymers called polyhydroxyalkanoates. Specifically, Metabolix has focused on using its extensive capabilities in PHA bioscience to create specialty PHAs, including amorphous PHAs with unique chemistries that allow them to be used as multifunctional additives. The company is working to leverage these key material properties of PHA biopolymers in the target application spaces of PVC and polylactic acid (PLA) modification, functional biodegradation and paper coating.
In 2015, Metabolix launched a-PHA from pilot production, and in 2016 is focused on securing initial and recurring sales across the target application spaces in anticipation of growing customer conversions and orders to baseload the new commercial capacity contemplated by the MoU with CJ.
The Fort Dodge production facility is operated by CJ Bio, a division of CJ CheilJedang - one of the leading players in microbial fermentation based R&D and manufacturing for a range of amino acids, including lysine, as well as nucleotides. CJ Bio operates world-scale fermentation facilities in the US, China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brazil.
As per the MoU, the companies have agreed to work together toward the successful conclusion of definitive agreements under which CJ will fund, construct and operate a 10 kilo tonne (KT) PHA production unit at CheilJedang’s Fort Dodge (Iowa, USA) facility based on Metabolix's PHA technology. Under the contemplated definitive agreements, Metabolix will buy the specialty PHAs produced at the Fort Dodge facility from CJ, and market and sell the materials to its commercial customers. The companies also expect to define a framework for longer term expansion of the collaboration for larger scale PHA production and related commercial activities.
In late 2015 and early 2016, Metabolix and CJ undertook a comprehensive feasibility study and assessment of CJ's Fort Dodge facility as a potential site for specialty PHA production. With the successful conclusion of the feasibility study and engineering plans, CJ is finalising a detailed budget for the capital investment needed to establish 10 KT of annual PHA capacity on the site and the two companies are turning their attention to the definitive agreements for the project.
Metabolix has developed an extensive technology platform around a family of bio-based and inherently biodegradable polymers called polyhydroxyalkanoates. Specifically, Metabolix has focused on using its extensive capabilities in PHA bioscience to create specialty PHAs, including amorphous PHAs with unique chemistries that allow them to be used as multifunctional additives. The company is working to leverage these key material properties of PHA biopolymers in the target application spaces of PVC and polylactic acid (PLA) modification, functional biodegradation and paper coating.
In 2015, Metabolix launched a-PHA from pilot production, and in 2016 is focused on securing initial and recurring sales across the target application spaces in anticipation of growing customer conversions and orders to baseload the new commercial capacity contemplated by the MoU with CJ.
The Fort Dodge production facility is operated by CJ Bio, a division of CJ CheilJedang - one of the leading players in microbial fermentation based R&D and manufacturing for a range of amino acids, including lysine, as well as nucleotides. CJ Bio operates world-scale fermentation facilities in the US, China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brazil.
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
SAVE 25%
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Subscribe
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors
Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share
Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor
Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements
Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app
SAVE 25%