Jun 24 2009
Metabolix, Inc. (NASDAQ: MBLX) announced that Mirel bioplastic resins produced by Telles, its joint venture with Archer Daniels Midland Company, have been certified compostable by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI), an independent North American certifier of compostable material. BPI certification shows that Mirel base resins comply with the specifications established in the American Society for Testing and Materials standard ASTM D6400 for composting in a professionally managed composting facility.
"Mirel bioplastic resins are now certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute to be compostable in industrial composting systems," said Steve Mojo, Executive Director of BPI. "Resin manufacturers are encouraged to use the BPI's compostable logo in their marketing efforts to demonstrate their compliance to ASTM D6400 based on independent testing."
Last month Mirel resins received certifications from Belgium-based Vinçotte of "OK Compost" for industrial composting and "OK Compost HOME" for home composting.
"Materials certification is an important process for the bioplastic industry to embrace," said Bob Findlen, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Telles. "Product manufacturers, brand owners, and their customers need to have confidence that the biodegradability and compostability claims of materials suppliers are substantiated by scientific data and third party validation."
The BPI's certification covers Mirel's base resins. These will be further compounded into specific grades for use in injection molding, film, sheet, and thermoforming by manufacturers of products and packaging.
Metabolix and Telles are presenting and exhibiting at NPE 2009, The International Plastics Showcase, in Chicago, IL the week of June 22, 2009. They are located at booth #W119020, in the West Hall.