PHA biodegradable plastic plant to be world first

FRANKFORT, Kentucky – Danimer Scientific, a manufacturer of biodegradable and compostable plastic products, will locate a fermentation facility in Winchester, KY with a $36.2 million investment and create 37 full-time jobs.

Danimer Scientific will produce its proprietary Nodax polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) material. Nodax PHA is a biopolymer that can be used to manufacture a vast array of versatile, biodegradable plastic products, including drinking straws, food packaging, cups, bottles, shopping bags, plates, trash bags, labels and more. The material is compostable, 100 percent bio-based and biodegradable in anaerobic, soil, fresh water and marine environments. Work could begin next month and company leaders aim to start operations in the fourth quarter of 2019.

The production of Danimer’s Nodax PHA begins with fermentation where canola oil is consumed by soil bacteria and converted into PHA, which is then processed into a powder form. The powder will be transported to the company’s Bainbridge, Georgia. facility and combined with other biopolymers to manufacture biodegradable plastic resins.

“This facility marks a major milestone for our company,” Danimer Scientific CEO Stephen Croskrey said. “It will be the world’s first PHA commercial production plant, positioning us to provide our Nodax PHA biodegradable plastic material for a wide variety of applications, from food packaging to drinking straws and more.”

Danimer Scientific develops sustainable, eco-friendly methods to produce plastic products, including biodegradable and compostable materials, with its renewable biopolymers. Danimer Scientific and its team members offer a comprehensive selection of biodegradable plastics for residential and business use. The company and its subsidiaries currently own more than 125 patents in nearly 20 countries for a range of manufacturing processes and biopolymer formulations.