Metabolic engineering and applications of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs)

Conference · Wed Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:115335

Williams, S F; Gerngross, U T; Peoples, O P ^[1]

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1. Metabolix, Inc., Cambridge, MA (United States)

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) have been recognized for many years as naturally occurring biodegradable plastics. The PHA plastics range from those that resemble polypropylene to other that are more elastomeric. A fundamental understanding of the genetic and biochemical pathways involved in PHA synthesis has now made it possible to produce PHAs commercially at an attractive cost and scale, using Metabolix`s transgenic technology. This technology, which was pioneered at The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, allows PHAs to be produced in the short-term by highly efficient fermentation systems, and ultimately, in plant crops. Production of PHAs in plant crops offers the promise of costs competitive with petroleum derived polymers. Millions of acres of transgenic plant crops could provide millions of tonnes of PHAs, increasing the use of renewable resources, and decreasing the U.S. reliance on imported oil. Furthermore, through the production of new PHA products, this technology provides new outlets to expand the U.S. industrial agricultural base. An overview of the scientific and industrial importance of PHAs, including the molecular genetics, biosynthesis, applications, and markets for these materials will be presented.

• Research Organization: National Renewable Energy Lab., Golden, CO (United States)
• OSTI ID: 115335
• Report Number(s): NREL/CP--200-8098; CONF-9508104--; ON: DE95009230
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
55 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
BASIC STUDIES
BIOSYNTHESIS
FERMENTATION
GENETIC ENGINEERING
MATERIAL SUBSTITUTION
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PLASTICS
RENEWABLE RESOURCES