Major Bioplastics Factory Comes on Line

A major new plant to make bioplastics in Clinton, IA, is coming on line and will begin providing material for injection molded food storage containers and cutlery. Metabolix is commercializing Mirel,  a plastic made via a sugar-fed fermentation process, in a 50/50 joint venture with Archer Daniels Midland called Telles.

Metabolix expects to bring thermoforming and film products to food contact markets in the second half of this year, servicing applications such as coffee lids, yoghurt cups and film for using storage bags. The company feels there is more than 2 billion pounds of initial potential market for its bioplastic. There are now about 100 prospects that are in various stages of product development with Mirel. Pricing is estimated at $2.25 to $2.75, well above the prices for plastics it seeks to replace.