CJ Biomaterials, Inc., (U.S. office in Woburn, Mass.) a division of South Korea-based CJ CheilJedang and leading producer of proprietary PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate), and NatureWorks, the leading global producer of PLA (polylactic acid), signed a Master Collaboration Agreement (MCA) with the goal of developing sustainable materials solutions based on CJ Biomaterials’ Phact Biodegradable Polymers and NatureWorks’ Ingeo biopolymers in applications, from compostable food packaging to personal care, films, and other products.
According to Plastics Technology, phact polymers are based on the only amorphous PHA on the market based on a proprietary amorphous PHA technology. Amorphous PHA is a softer, more rubbery version of PHA that offers fundamentally different performance characteristics than the crystalline or semi-crystalline forms that currently dominate the PHA market. It is certified biodegradable under industrial compost, soil (ambient), and marine environments. Modifying PLA with amorphous PHA has been shown to result in improved mechanical properties, such as toughness, and ductility, while maintaining clarity. It also allows adjustment in the biodegradability of PLA and could potentially lead to a home compostable product.
The main idea of this MCA is to develop biobased solutions to create new performance attributes for compostable rigid and flexible food packaging and food serviceware. In return, this will speed up biodegradation to introduce more “after-use” options that fall in line with a circular economy model. CJ Biomaterials and NatureWorks also plan to create new applications in the films and nonwoven markets; they will enter into strategic supply agreements to support development efforts.
NatureWorks CEO Rich Altice explained “We feel strongly that the next generation of sustainable materials needs to begin with renewable, biobased feedstocks, have a wide range of tailorable performance attributes, and be designed for after-use scenarios from compostability to chemical recycling. These principles are inherent in both CJ’s Phact PHA and our Ingeo PLA, and we have witnessed very positive early results when incorporating these two industry-leading biomaterials. This collaboration between our two organizations is going to lead to the development of exciting, industry-advancing technologies.”
