Metabolix: Plastic from Tobacco

By Michael Kanellos

Metabolix, the bioplastic company working with agribusiness giant Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), has conducted experiments that could lead to a new life for the stinking weed.

The company has devised a strain of tobacco that will metabolically generate polyhydroxyalkanoate bio-based polymers, or PHA to his friends. Conceivably, this could lead to tobacco farmers growing the plant to harvest plants for plastic rather than cigarettes. The test crop was grown on 0.8 acres and the best plants contained 3 percent to 5 percent PHA. The company started working with tobacco because it's a hearty plant native to the U.S. that can grow in fairly dense arrangements.

Metabolix makes the Mirel line of bioplastics. Later this year it plans to open a production facility to mass manufacture the stuff. PHA costs more than conventional fossil fuel based plastics but is comparable in terms of performance. The price, if all goes well, will also decline over time.

The company will participate in a trial in a Dutch hospital with Pharmafilter. Pharmafilter wants to recycle pretty much everything – the water, the solid waste, etc. – that comes out of a health care facility. Metabolix will provide the plastic for the bedpans and cutlery.

Comments

[sticktoitiv...:]

So what happens if you smoke it?

Oct 23 11:03 AM

[Justin M. Hall:]

Thanks Michael.

I like Metabolix (MBLX) and firmly believe it will prove to be a great investment over the long-term.

Plug: I encourage you and your readers check out the blog entry I just posted today 10.24.09 on Spectrum Pharmaceuticals (SPPI).

Justin M. Hall

Oct 24 10:42 AM

[tequilabob:]

Michael,

You left out one very important detail about the Mirel line of bioplastics--Mirel is biodegradable and will not remain in our landfills for thousands upon thousands of years. For readers who are not already familiar with Metabolix or Mirel, that is a huge part of the story.

Bob

Oct 25 11:36 AM

[sail.rick:]

Metabolix produces the best bioplastics. Their PHA is not only biodegradable, it's 100% compostable. Other PLA based bioplastics must be heated first before composting, not PHA. It can even be thrown in the ocean, and will break down into harmless ingredients in a short time.
Their process involves far fewer steps than other bioplastics require.


MBLX can produce plastic from switch grass as well. I wonder how hemp compares as a plastics feedstock, compared with tobacco. It's way past time to legalize industrial hemp, with it's many uses.

MBLX has experimented with growing switch grass with the plastic already in the stems and leaves. This is done without genetically altering the plants.

Nov 06 10:51 AM