The PHA Biodegradable Polymers Market

PHA biodegradable polymers are still largely at the development stage of market development, although there a few commercial applications available. The main candidates for commercialisation are Biopol PHBV, being developed by Metabolix, and Nodax PHBH, marketed by Procter Gamble. 

Metabolix s PHBV (polyhydroxybutyrate valerate) was initially developed by ICI. PHBV and related copolymers are made in a pilot plant using different bacteria to create compositions with up to 70% crystallinity. Elongation can be manipulated from 5% to 100%, and melting points range between 135 and 185 °C (275-365 °F). 

The physical properties claimed for Metabolix PHA polymers are described below. 

Procter Gamble is the other leading pioneer on the field of PHA biodegradable polymers. The Nodax biopolymers are based on the copolymer PHBH, a copolymer polyester of 3-hydroxybutyric and 3-hydroxyhexanoic acid. The higher the 3-hydroxyhexanoic acid comonomer component, the more flexible 

PHBH comes in short-chain (C6), medium-chain (C8-10), and long-chain (C12-22) species, but current emphasis is on the C4/C6 class. P G recently licensed rights to make these polymers to Kuraray in Tokyo, Japan, which brought a production plant on line in 2005. 

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