Food-Contact Approved Bioplastic ‘Ready for Commercial Scale’

Biopolymer manufacturer Meredian says its PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate) formulation process is ready for commercial-scale production after successfully piloting with specialty food ingredients provider Tate & Lyle.

The patented Meredian process is FDA approved for food contact. This pilot-scale confirmation opens the door for mass production of biodegradable plastics on a commercial scale, the company says.

The joint development uses Meredian’s PHA process and Tate & Lyle’s fermentation.

Last month Meredian said it’s using locally grown canola in its biopolymer production. The company said the canola crop is a critical component to its production of bioplastics because vegetable oil is the single most important, yet costly, factor in its manufacturing process. The crop can be planted locally and harvested twice per year.