-PHA Performance Modifiers for PLA
-PHA Process Aids and Performance Modifiers for PVC
-Innovative Development Grades for PHA Modified PLA Film
-Customer Samples in a Wide Range of Applications
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., March 11, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Metabolix, Inc., (Nasdaq:MBLX) an advanced biomaterials company focused on sustainable solutions for the plastics industry, today announced that it will highlight at NPE 2015 its high performance PHA biopolymers. Show attendees may visit Metabolix at booth S15041 at NPE 2015: The International Plastics Showcase to be held in Orlando, Florida on March 23-27, 2015.
"NPE 2015 represents an important opportunity for us to present the current range of our high-performance biopolymer solutions to potential customers and partners in the plastics industry," said Max Senechal, vice president, strategy and commercial development, at Metabolix, Inc. "Our Mirel® biopolymer resins are derived from renewable resources and suitable for applications requiring biodegradation in soil, compost, fresh water and marine environments. In addition, we look forward to working with customers on new applications where our PHA biopolymers can be used as performance additives for conventional or biobased polymers such as PVC and PLA."
Mirel polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) biopolymers enable plastics converters and brand owners to meet sustainability and performance objectives. At its booth, Metabolix will showcase products and display customer samples based on applications in construction and packaging materials, as well as in industrial and consumer markets. Samples on display at the Metabolix booth will include high biocontent compostable bags; packaging film; fibers; utensils; 3-D filament; electrical cables; micropowders and biodegradable agricultural items.
Metabolix will showcase the following biopolymer products at the show:
PLA Polymeric Modifiers: Metabolix is developing and commercializing PHA-based polymeric modifiers that can extend the performance range of PLA, while maintaining biocontent and compostability. Metabolix has shown that at low loading levels, PHA modified PLA shows an excellent balance of properties including increased toughness combined with increased ductility.
Developmental Grades for Film and Packaging Applications: Metabolix will be featuring developmental film grades based on a-PHA modified PLA. Metabolix will display and sample films that provide high biocontent (>95%), high load carrying capability and industrial compostability.
PVC Processing Aids and Polymeric Modifiers: Metabolix is developing biobased PHA processing aids and performance modifiers for rigid, semi-rigid, and flexible PVC as well as PVC recyclate compounds. As a process aid, Metabolix PHA additives allow torque reduction in highly filled systems, resulting in the ability to increase filler content and improve equipment performance. As performance modifiers, Metabolix PHA additives in PVC systems improve permanence in durable applications.
Development Grade Barrier Coatings for Paper and Cardboard: Metabolix has generated data showing that biobased paper coatings based on PHA possess excellent barrier properties to water and grease, and are compatible with the re-pulping operations typically used to recycle paper and corrugated cardboard.
PHA Micropowders: Metabolix is developing PHA technology to replace non-biodegradable plastic microbeads with PHA biopolymer materials that are biobased and marine degradable. Metabolix recently formed a global, exclusive commercial and technical alliance with Honeywell for PHA biopolymers used in personal care applications.
Functional Biodegradation: The biocontent and unparalleled biodegradation profile of Mirel® biopolymer materials make them uniquely suited to a range of applications from agricultural and marine uses to water treatment and consumer products.
Metabolix Presentations at ANTEC
Two research papers related to Metabolix research will be presented at ANTEC, the SPI technical conference co-located with NPE, on Tuesday, March 24 2015. Mike Andrews, PhD, director of extrusion applications at Metabolix will be presenting a paper titled "Improving the Physical Properties and Versatility of PLA with PHA Copolymer Blends" as part of the Polymer Modifiers and Additives session. In addition, Christopher Thellen of the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research Development and Engineering Center (NSRDEC) will be presenting a paper titled "Biodegradable Latex Paper Coatings Based on Polyhydroxyalkanoates for Improved Moisture Resistance" as part of the Bioplastics Session.
About Metabolix
Metabolix, Inc. is an innovation-driven specialty materials company focused on delivering high-performance biopolymer solutions to customers in the plastics industry. Metabolix's Mirel® biopolymer resins, which are derived from renewable resources, are a family of biobased performance additives based on PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoates). Metabolix's proprietary biotechnology platform enables the creation of specialty biopolymers for use in a broad range of applications such as construction and packaging materials, as well as industrial, agricultural, consumer and personal care products.
For more information, please visit www.metabolix.com.