Woe Is Metabolix

Abstract

Biobased plastics firm Metabolix, founded in 2002, has partnered over the years with industry giants BP and BASF, but its joint venture with agribusiness firm Archer Daniels Midland was the deal that was supposed to catapult it into the big leagues. The goal of the joint venture, called Telles, was to manufacture and market Metabolix’ first product, a biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate polymer, in commercial quantities. Brand-named Mirel, the polymer is made from corn sugar via microbial fermentation. Early markets included horticultural mulch, trash bags for composting, and consumer products. But on Jan. 12, before Telles reached its fifth anniversary, ADM pulled the plug on the venture ( C&EN, Jan. 23, page 5). “Unfortunately, uncertainty around projected capital and production costs, combined with the rate of market adoption, led to projected financial returns for ADM that are too uncertain,” the firm said in a statement. With ADM out of the picture, Metabolix ...