BIOPLASTICS | MATERIALS


acid – the precursor of PLA. It is made mainly by the fermentation of sugars from biomass using microbial strains such as Lactobacillus. Compared to chemical synthesis, fermentation generates fewer by-products and typically has a lower energy requirement, says IDTechEx in a recent report, White Biotechnology 2025–2035. While PLA is well established, other bioplastics such polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) – a family of microbially produced polyesters – are also on the rise. However, the PHA industry is at an earlier stage of development, with producers only now starting to scale up commercial production. “Despite these efforts, the outlook for PHA is less


predictable than for PLA, and future growth will depend on overcoming both technical and economic barriers,” said the report. Succinic acid, which is also produced by


microbial fermentation, is seeing “a second wave of industrial interest” following a failed commerciali- sation push in the early 2010s. Companies like Landian Biotech are reintroducing bio-manufac- tured succinic acid at a larger scale, with ambitions to reach 500,000 tonnes/year. This renewed interest is partly driven by price rises in maleic anhydride – a conventional petrochemical route to succinic acid and its downstream product called 1,4-BDO, which is used to make biopolymers like PBS and PBAT.


UAE tie-up Emirates Biotech has signed a partnership with the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) to carry out collaborative research on new applications for polylactic acid (PLA). A series of joint research projects will explore ways to improve PLA’s performance and environ- mental benefits, said the company. “This collaboration will be instrumental in positioning PLA as a credible and sustainable alternative to fossil-based plastics,” said Aman Kulshrestha, chief technology officer at Emirates Biotech


At the same time, the company has signed a supply contract with Sulzer, to supply process equipment for the PLA production facility it is currently building. Under its Falcon PLA project, Emirates Biotech plans to start building a “world scale” PLA plant towards the end of this year, with completion due by early 2028. This latest contract takes the com- pany’s financial commitment to Falcon PLA past US$90 million, it said. Marc Verbruggen, CEO of Emirates Biotech, said: “This equipment supply contract is a decisive


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step forward for us. This is a major financial and strategic commitment as we lay the foundation for a state-of-the-art PLA facility.”


Teknor takeover Teknor Apex has acquired bioplastics manufac- turer Danimer Scientific – which filed for bank- ruptcy earlier this year – after bidding US$19 million for its assets. Danimer operates two production plants – which


make PLA and PHA – with more than 200,000 sq ft of laboratories, manufacturing facilities and testing space. Applications for its materials include films, single-use injection-moulded articles and packaging. After the takeover, it will continue to operate as


a separate entity under its own name. “Danimer’s patented fermentation-based biopolymer manufacturing process enhances our product portfolio,” said Don Wiseman, CEO at Teknor Apex. “Its expertise in biopolymers like PHAs and PLA – as well as its custom formulation know- how – makes it a valuable partner in our mission to develop alternatives to conventional polymers.”


CLICK ON THE LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION: � www.scanfill.com � www.primexplastics.com � www.sulapac.com � www.totalenergies-corbion.com � www.useon.com � www.natureworksllc.com � www.cjbiomaterials.com � www.lignin.se � www.braskem.com � www.aimplas.es � www.european-bioplastics.org � https://benviro.es � www.idtechex.com � www.emiratesbiotech.com � www.teknorapex.com � www.danimerscientific.com


July/August 2025 | FILM & SHEET EXTRUSION 21 Above:


Danimer has a commercial PHA produc- tion facility in Winchester, Kentucky


IMAGE: DANIMER SCIENTIFIC


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