What is PHA?
PHA is a generic term for a large group of materials, synthesized by a large number of bacteria as intracellular polyesters. PHA is a completely biodegradable new biomaterial, and the only completely biosynthetic carbon neutral biodegradable material. Also, pure PHA products are harmless to marine and terrestrial animals and can even be consumed by animals. The large variety of PHA monomers makes the materialistic properties of PHA highly variable, and certain PHA materials have unique properties such as biocompatibility and optical isomerism, making them potential for a wide range of applications in medical and agricultural fields.
Application of PHA
（1）Environmentally friendly packaging materials
PHA has good biodegradability, decomposition products, and can be fully bio-utilized. Specific applications are in biodegradable garbage bags, shopping bags, disposable lunch boxes, etc.
On May 12, 2021, California-based materials innovation company Cove announced plans to launch the first water bottle made entirely of the biodegradable material PHA within the year, which could be the first mass-produced PHA water bottle on the market.
In March 2021, rainbow candy maker Mars Wrigley announced that it will partner with Danimer Scientific to launch fully biodegradable PHA packaging in the U.S. beginning late this year or early 2022. The packaging will be made from plant seeds such as rapeseed and soybeans refined into NodaxPHA polyhydroxy fatty acid ester biodegradable material.
（2）Agriculture
PHA is hydrolytic and biodegradable, with specific applications in slow release carriers for agricultural drugs, chemical fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, agricultural films, etc.
PHA agricultural film has been applied to garlic, cotton, peanut, blueberry, iceberg lettuce, dry rice and other crops in several provinces in China, with an extension area of nearly 3,500 mu.
（3）Medicine
Utilizing the biocompatibility, biodegradability, non-rejection, and non-toxin properties of PHA, specific applications include sutures, repair devices, repair patches, bandages, cardiovascular patches, orthopedic needles, anti-adhesion films, stents, guided tissue repair/regeneration devices, articular cartilage repair scaffolds, nerve conduits, tendon repair devices, artificial esophagus, and wound dressings.
TephaFLEX, an absorbable suture made from P4HB, was approved for marketing by the U.S. FDA in 2007, making it the first commercialized PHA medical product in the world. Currently, PHAs are being intensively researched worldwide for a variety of applications in tissue engineering, implant materials, and drug delivery vehicles.
（4）Industrial
PHA is biodegradable and biocompatible, and is used in industry for razors, utensils, diapers, feminine hygiene products, home decor materials, carpets, etc.
May 3, 2021 - TerraVerdae Bioworks, a leading Canadian bioplastics company, announces the global launch of a new PHA-based resin that can be used for customer applications requiring this material. New bio-based resin formulations can be used in blown film and injection molding processes.
In addition to the above applications, PHAs are also used in chemicals, industrial enzymes, energy, and environmental management.
PHA is a generic term for a large group of materials, synthesized by a large number of bacteria as intracellular polyesters. PHA is a completely biodegradable new biomaterial, and the only completely biosynthetic carbon neutral biodegradable material. Also, pure PHA products are harmless to marine and terrestrial animals and can even be consumed by animals. The large variety of PHA monomers makes the materialistic properties of PHA highly variable, and certain PHA materials have unique properties such as biocompatibility and optical isomerism, making them potential for a wide range of applications in medical and agricultural fields.
Application of PHA
（1）Environmentally friendly packaging materials
PHA has good biodegradability, decomposition products, and can be fully bio-utilized. Specific applications are in biodegradable garbage bags, shopping bags, disposable lunch boxes, etc.
On May 12, 2021, California-based materials innovation company Cove announced plans to launch the first water bottle made entirely of the biodegradable material PHA within the year, which could be the first mass-produced PHA water bottle on the market.
In March 2021, rainbow candy maker Mars Wrigley announced that it will partner with Danimer Scientific to launch fully biodegradable PHA packaging in the U.S. beginning late this year or early 2022. The packaging will be made from plant seeds such as rapeseed and soybeans refined into NodaxPHA polyhydroxy fatty acid ester biodegradable material.
（2）Agriculture
PHA is hydrolytic and biodegradable, with specific applications in slow release carriers for agricultural drugs, chemical fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, agricultural films, etc.
PHA agricultural film has been applied to garlic, cotton, peanut, blueberry, iceberg lettuce, dry rice and other crops in several provinces in China, with an extension area of nearly 3,500 mu.
（3）Medicine
Utilizing the biocompatibility, biodegradability, non-rejection, and non-toxin properties of PHA, specific applications include sutures, repair devices, repair patches, bandages, cardiovascular patches, orthopedic needles, anti-adhesion films, stents, guided tissue repair/regeneration devices, articular cartilage repair scaffolds, nerve conduits, tendon repair devices, artificial esophagus, and wound dressings.
TephaFLEX, an absorbable suture made from P4HB, was approved for marketing by the U.S. FDA in 2007, making it the first commercialized PHA medical product in the world. Currently, PHAs are being intensively researched worldwide for a variety of applications in tissue engineering, implant materials, and drug delivery vehicles.
（4）Industrial
PHA is biodegradable and biocompatible, and is used in industry for razors, utensils, diapers, feminine hygiene products, home decor materials, carpets, etc.
May 3, 2021 - TerraVerdae Bioworks, a leading Canadian bioplastics company, announces the global launch of a new PHA-based resin that can be used for customer applications requiring this material. New bio-based resin formulations can be used in blown film and injection molding processes.
In addition to the above applications, PHAs are also used in chemicals, industrial enzymes, energy, and environmental management.
