Metabolix, Inc. (NASDAQ: MBLX) announced that Mirel™ bioplastic resins
have received the Vinçotte certification of “OK Compost” for
compostability in an industrial composting unit and “OK Compost HOME”
for compostability in home composting systems. Belgium-based Vinçotte is
widely recognized in Europe for materials inspection, certification,
assessments and technical training.
Mirel bioplastic resins received OK Biodegradable Soil and OK
Biodegradable Water certifications announced in October of 2008. Mirel
bioplastic resins are the only non-starch bioplastics to gain all four
Vinçotte certifications.
The OK Compost mark verifies that Mirel bioplastic resins will
biodegrade under industrial composting conditions. All products
certified with the OK Compost mark meet the EU packaging Directive as
well as the EN 13432: 2000 standard. The OK Compost HOME mark confirms
that Mirel bioplastic resins will biodegrade in home composting systems
of varying temperatures.
“Today’s environmentally conscious consumers and brand owners are
seeking out eco-friendly products, and certification from Vinçotte
confirms Mirel resins meet accepted standards for biodegradability and
compostability,” said Bob Findlen, Vice President of Sales and Marketing
for Telles. “Unlike most bioplastics, Mirel resins are engineered to
meet these standards and provide brand owners with a uniquely
biodegradable material for use in their products.”
“With organic material making up about half of all household waste, it
is important for manufacturers to produce durable products that can be
responsively disposed of via composting, along with food scraps and
other organic waste,” said Petra Michiels, Contract Manager OK Compost
of Vinçotte. “Composting decreases the amount of organic material and
turns it into a valuable product that improves soil characteristics.”
About Metabolix
Founded in 1992, Metabolix, Inc. is an innovation driven bioscience
company focused on providing sustainable solutions for the world’s needs
for plastics, chemicals and energy. The Company is taking a systems
approach, from gene to end product, integrating sophisticated
biotechnology with advanced industrial practice. Metabolix is now
developing and commercializing Mirel™, a family of high performance
bioplastics which are biobased and biodegradable alternatives to many
petroleum based plastics. Metabolix is also developing a proprietary
platform technology for co-producing plastics, chemicals and energy,
from crops such as switchgrass, oilseeds and sugarcane.
For more information, please visit www.metabolix.com.
(MBLX-G)
About Telles
Metabolix and Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) are commercializing
Mirel through a joint venture called Telles. Mirel bioplastics are
available for injection molding, blown and cast film, and cast sheet
applications. The first commercial-scale plant to produce Mirel
bioplastic resins is being constructed adjacent to ADM's wet corn mill
in Clinton, Iowa.
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Investors:
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Gallo, 203-682-8335
anthony.gallo@icrinc.com