Applications for its first product, amorphous polyhydroxyalkanoate (aPHA), a softer, more rubber-like version of PHA, include rigid and flexible packaging.
CJ Bio, now known as CJ Biomaterials, acquired polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) pioneer Metabolix in 2016. Earlier this year, the company's amorphous PHA (aPHA), went into production with the startup of a new production facility in Indonesia.
Designated as PHACT A100P, aPHA is the bioplastic supplier’s initial launch from a technology platform for “tunable” designer biopolymers that can also enhance other bioplastics.
Why aPHA? According to CJ Biomaterials, it's a softer, more rubber-like version of PHA that offers fundamentally different performance characteristics than crystalline or semi-crystalline forms of PHA.
Made from plant sugars like sugarcane, tapioca, corn, and cellulosic biomass, aPHA is certified biodegradable under industrial compost, soil (ambient), and marine environments.
aPHA is also considered home compostable — it does not require specialized equipment or elevated temperatures to be fully biodegradable.
Max Senechal, the company’s chief commercial officer, references data published by organizations such as EUPB that forecast rapid growth in the market, in this instance expanding from about 2 million tons in 2020 to more than 7 million tons by 2026.
A report released this month by Prophesy Market Insights agrees, forecasting a CAGR of 22.4% for biopolymers. The report expects the market to increase in value fom $10.7 billion in 2022 to $86.7 billion by 2032.
That aggressively optimistic projection is seen in brand owner traction.
“We see a very strong push from brand owners moving from [biopolymer] interest to adoption as evidenced by organizations such as PepsiCo’s Off the Eaten Paths snacks, to Bacardi and more recently, upstart companies such as Cove with a biodegradable water bottle,” Senechal tells us. “Once thought of as aspirational, PHA is now seen as responding to the consumer voice in many cases.
“Additionally, transformative regulatory projects such as [California’s] SB 54 will pave the way for comprehensive circular solutions where biopolymers play a big role.”
There is growing activity on the new business front as well. CJ Biomaterials has announced arrangements with Accor hotels, Yuhan-Kimberly, and NatureWorks to develop products using aPHA.
CJ Biomaterials has also partnered with South Korea Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) and the Korea Innovation Foundation (INNOPOLIS) to actively promote eco-friendly materials, including PHA.
New markets and property-improving blends with PLA.
CJ Biomaterials’ near-term focus is developing aPHA for rigid and flexible packaging, which account for more than 50% of single-use plastics.
“It’s suitable for packaging in markets including food, beverages, personal care, consumer goods, healthcare, automotive — all areas where better sustainable solutions can have a positive impact on the challenge of plastic waste,” Senechal points out.
Other potential markets include agriculture, organic waste management, coatings, and adhesives.