In a statement released earlier today, bioplastics company Danimer Scientific, Inc. and Total Corbion PLA announced that they have entered into a long-term strategic supply agreement under which Total Corbion will supply Danimer with its Luminy PLA.
Danimer produces a range of bioplastic formulations and resins, including Nodax PHA, a bio-based, biodegradable polyester produced through microbial fermentation with highly tunable physical and mechanical properties.
The company also creates blends of PHA and PLA through a proprietary reactive extrusion process. These blends can be customized to meet a wide range of technical properties for specific applications, further expanding the use of its materials to many different industries.
The current agreement with Total Corbion will secure Danimer's supply of PLA, enabling it to meet its customers' demand for PLA and PHA blends.
As Stephen E. Croskrey, Danimer's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, "While increasing commercial production of PHA remains a focus of our business, PLA is part of a number of compounds that we formulate to meet the functional needs of specific customers for different applications. Partnering with Total Corbion PLA provides an ideal solution to support our long-term growth strategy while ensuring that our short-term customer needs are met."
Blending PHA with PLA, which is also a bio-polyester, not only enhances the price competitiveness of the former, but also improves the biodegradability of the latter and improves the properties of both materials, opening up the potential for the development of new and better products.
Thomas Philipon, CEO of Total Corbion PLA, said, "The biopolymer market is experiencing strong growth and customers are demanding innovative solutions tailored to their market needs. In today's dynamic marketplace, the entire value chain is strategically organized to ensure the security of supply of products and technologies that will enable brand owners and end consumers to confidently choose bioplastics as a sustainable alternative to traditional plastics."
Total Corbion PLA is a 50/50 joint venture between TotalEnergies and Corbion focused on the manufacture and marketing of Luminy PLA resins. Total Corbion PLA, headquartered in the Netherlands, operates a 75,000 ton per year PLA production facility in Rayong, Thailand, and recently announced plans to build a second plant in Grampus, France.
Danimer Scientific has manufacturing facilities in Georgia and Kentucky, U.S. In December 2018, Danimer purchased a location in Winchester, Kentucky to open the world's first commercial production facility for PHAs. In the first quarter of 2021, PHA production reached more than 50% of capacity; Danimer expects to reach 100% of nameplate capacity by the end of the year. It has an annual production capacity of 9,000 tons and will expand to approximately 30,000 tons next year.
Danimer Scientific Introduction.
Danimer Scientific, formerly Meredian Holdings Group Inc. and MHG, is a Bainbridge, Georgia-based biopolymer manufacturer. danimer Scientific holds the patent for the Nodax medium chain branched polyhydroxyalkanoate mcl-PHA.
The company uses PHAs and other biopolymers to create a range of applications such as additives, aqueous coatings, extrusion coatings, extrusion lamination, fibers, film resins, hot melt adhesives, injection molding, thermoforming and wax replacement polymers. In addition, Danimer Scientific provides research and development of biopolymer formulations.
July 28, 2021 - Danimer Scientific has acquired technology developer Novomer, a leading developer of conversion technologies that provide convertible, functional and low-carbon net carbon inputs for the production of PHA-based resins, for $152 million.
The announcement comes after bioplastics company Danimer Scientific received a $400,000 grant from the United Soybean Board to expand the company's program for high oleic soybean oil (HOSO) as a feedstock for the production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs).
