Metabolix Announces Collaboration to Develop Natural Plastics in Sugarcane
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 08, 2007 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
Copyright Business Wire 2007
Metabolix Inc. (NASDAQ: MBLX), a leader in the use of bioscience
to provide biobased, sustainable, solutions for the world's needs for
plastics, fuels and chemicals, today announced the signing of a
collaborative agreement with Australia's Cooperative Research Centre
for Sugar Industry Innovation through Biotechnology (CRC SIIB) to
research and develop natural plastics directly in sugarcane.
Queensland Minister for State Development John Mickel formalized the
agreement today in Boston.
"As Metabolix continues to expand its activities in the biofuel
and chemicals sectors we are very pleased to be working with the team
in Queensland on producing natural plastics in sugarcane, as we have
done with switchgrass," said Oliver Peoples, Ph.D., Chief Scientific
Officer, Metabolix. "Sugarcane is currently the premier biomass crop
for biofuels, and we believe it can be developed to produce an
advanced biorefinery feedstock for the production of natural plastics,
fuels and chemicals, significantly expanding Metabolix's global reach.
While switchgrass is well suited for the North American climate,
sugarcane will be ideal for more tropical climate zones."
"This new sugarcane natural plastics program could well pave the
way for the sugar industry's involvement in future bioplastics
industries and other sought after bio-based products," said Mr.
Mickel. "I believe demand for these types of products will increase as
more environmentally-conscious companies and consumers look for ways
to lessen negative impacts on the environment."
"What we are seeing here is acknowledgement of the potential of
biodegradable plastics and support for the potential role of
Queensland's most valuable plant crop, sugarcane, in a future
bio-based economy which is renewable and sustainable," said Dr. Peter
Twine, CEO, CRC SIIB, which is based at the University of Queensland.
About Metabolix
Founded in 1992, Metabolix, Inc. is an innovation driven
bioscience company developing clean, sustainable solutions for the
world's needs for plastics, fuels, and chemicals. Metabolix pioneered
the systems approach, from gene to end product, integrating
sophisticated biotechnology with advanced industrial engineering
practice and marketing. The Company is now commercializing its first
platform, environmentally sustainable and totally biodegradable
Mirel(TM) natural plastics as a clean alternative to petroleum-based
plastics. Metabolix is also developing proprietary biomass technology
platforms including switchgrass and sugarcane to produce natural
plastics, biofuels and chemicals. For more information, please visit
www.metabolix.com. (MBLX-G)
About CRC Sugar Industry through Innovation
Established in 2003, the CRC for Sugar Industry Innovation through
Biotechnology is a unique alliance of Australia's top sugarcane
biotechnology research organisations including four universities,
sugar industry research groups, Federal and Queensland governments and
commercial expertise with the goal to add new value to Australian
sugarcane. The centre combines Australia's strengths in molecular
biology and chemical engineering with current industry skills and
infrastructure. For more information, visit www.crcsugar.com
SOURCE: Metabolix Inc.
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