Develop technology for the sustainable production of PHA bioplastics

	Create novel pathways for PHB-copolymers
	Develop integrated systems for PHB copolymer production
	Re-engineer central metabolism to improve yield
	Develop engineered plant systems for PHA production in an integrated biomass biorefinery

	Created integrated microbial systems for producing a series of PHB copolymers
	Developed new PHB copolymer compositions
	Created a compelling case for a PHA biomass biorefinery
	Demonstrated chemically inducible PHA production in plants

	Structured a strategic alliance for commercialization of fermentation technology
	Created the potential for sustainable plastics and energy production

Abstract:

Metabolix has applied advanced metabolic pathway engineering at the genome level to solve the manufacturing challenges for a range of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) copolymers.

Metabolix’s PHB copolymers are a broad and versatile family of plastics, ranging in properties from rigid, strong and stiff to tough and highly elastomeric. They can be made as resins or aqueous dispersions with excellent film forming characteristics. Robust in use, yet biodegradable, PHB copolymers offer a renewable and environmentally friendly alternative in many applications now served by synthetic plastics, including fiber, film, molded goods, extruded products, adhesives, and coatings.

Metabolix’s innovative technology enables controlled production of PHB co-polymers directly in the microbial biofactory, that is, within the bacterial cell, from renewable feedstocks. Specifically, the company has developed a production platform for a family of co-polymers of 3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB) with several alternative co-monomers (co-HX).

The performance of these engineered organisms has been fully validated, demonstrating the capability to reliably produce the entire range of PHB copolymers with a high degree of reproducibility and commercialization is now underway.

Metabolix has also progressed the direct production of PHB copolymers in engineered plant crops and created a compelling case for the sustainable production of energy and materials using the PHB copolymers as a value-added co-product.

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