Meredian Holdings Group Inc. (MHG; Bainbridge, Ga.; www.MHGBio.com) announced that the company has become the world’s largest producer of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) with the startup of their first commercial-scale fermenter in Bainbridge, Ga.
MHG has been working over the last couple years to ramp up the Bainbridge facility. This expansion included the ordering and installation of custom equipment that will allow MHG to produce even greater quantities of PHA in the near future.
MHG previously partnered with Tate & Lyle, global provider of specialty ingredients and solutions to test the scalability of Nodax-brand PHA. The production rates and titers achieved exceeded the metrics needed for commercial production viability. This confirmed that MHG’s PHA could be scaled for commercialization.
MHG’s PHA possesses properties that perform equal to, if not better than, most petrochemical plastics, according to the company. Due to its unique molecular structure, PHA can be custom-formulated to create different types of polymers based on the specific purposes and client’s needs. The PHA can be used to manufacture many items commonly made of petroleum plastics including toys, cups, straws, utensils, single use plastic bags and many other disposable items that are entering the waste streams worldwide. Because products manufactured from Nodax PHA biodegrade in three months to one year, they provide a solution to plastic pollution and accumulation when used instead of conventional plastic.
MHG’s PHA has been certified to degrade in soil, freshwater, marine water, industrial compost and home compost by Vinçotte International. The PHA is also approved for food-substance contact by the FDA.