PHAs can be easily depolymerised to a rich source of optically pure bifunctional hydroxy acids. PHB, for example can be readily hydrolysed to R-3-hydroxybutyric acid and is used in the synthesis of Merck's anti-glaucoma drug Truspot. Along with R-1,3-butanediol, it is also used to synthesise-lactams. PHBV received European approval for food contact use in 1996. This opens opportunities in food service and packaging industry. Plant-derived PHAs may in future be depolymerised and used for bulk chemical manufacture. Western Europe, for example produces several million tonnes of butanols , half of which are used directly, or following esterification, as solvents. Besides replacing existing solvents -hydroxy acid esters and related derivatives are likely to find growing use as green solvents similar to lactic acid esters.-hydroxy acids a re more resistant to hydrolysis and are therefore better suited to certain applications. Hydroxy acids may also be converted into crotonic acids, 1,3-butanediol, lactones etc. all of which have existing markets of thousands of tonnes. |
- is 100% biodegradable,
- can be processed like thermoplastic and
- is 100% water resistant, so that it could be used for similar applications as conventional commodity plastics.
- Packaging films (for food packages), bags, containers, paper coatings.
- Biodegradable carrier for long term dosage of drugs, medicines, insecticides, herbicides, insecticides or fertilizers.
- Disposable items such as razors, utensils, diapers, feminine hygiene products, cosmetics containers, shampoo bottles, cups etc.
- Starting material for chiral compounds.
- Medical applications - Surgical pins, sutures, staples, swabs, wound dressings, bone replacements & plates and blood vessel replacements, Stimulation of bone growth by piezoelectric properties.
No. | Company | Areas of interest |
(1) | Berlin Packaging Corp. (USA) | Marketing |
(2) | Bioscience Ltd. (Finland) | Medical applications |
(3) | Bio Ventures Alberta Inc. (Canada) | Production in recombinant E.coli |
(4) | Metabolix Inc. (USA) | Production in transgenic plants |
(5) | Monsanto (USA) | |
(6) | Polyferm Inc. (Canada) | Production from cheap substrates |
(7) | ZENECA Bio-Products (UK) (former ICI, UK) | Production by A.eutrophus |
(8) | ZENECA Seeds (UK) | Production in transgenic plants |
(9) | Petrochemia Danubia (PCD) | Production using A.lactus |
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