Metabolix, Inc. (Cambridge, Mass.; edlinks.chemengonline.com/6895-550) and ADM Co. (Decatur. Ill.; edlinks.chemengonline.com/6895-551) will jointly produce Mirel Natural Plastics — a family of high-performance natural plastics that are biobased, sustainable and completely biodegradable. Mirel is being commercialized through the companies’ joint venture, Telles. Telles is now building its first commercial-scale plant in Clinton, Iowa, which will produce 110 million lb/yr of Mirel when it starts up next year. Mirel is made by fermenting renewable resources, such as corn sugar (CE, March 2006, p. 18).
Biodegradable plastic
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