One factor limiting growth of biopolymers has been relatively few sources of supply.

WEB EXCLUSIVE: Biopolymer manufacturer Meredian, Inc., Bainbridge, Ga., recently started up what is believed to the world’s largest production facility for PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate). At full production, the plant is capable of annual output of about 600 million lb.

Plastics are going “green,” but they will need some help to get there. Biodegradable polymers derived from renewable resources are attracting lots of interest and publicity, but that enthusiasm is counterbalanced by persistent questions of availability, cost, performance, and processability. All these issues are inter-related: Increasing demand will lead to more capacity, which will presumably lead to lower prices. But the foundation is market demand, which ultimately depends on whether biopolymers will have the performance properties and processability to compete with existing non-renewable plastics.

Major chemical companies are investing big bucks in new plants and technologies to produce plastics from annually renewable sources, not from petrochemicals.

More resin makers are joining the action in biopolymers made from renewable resources.