Several of the biopolymers produced by Meredian (Bainbridge, Georgia / USA; www.meredianpha.com) have been approved for food contact by the US Food and Drug Authority (FDA, Washington, DC; www.fda.gov). The Georgia-based sister company of bio-plastics technology group DaniMer Scientific (Bainbridge, Georgia / USA; www.danimer.com) said the approval – which pertains to its medium-chain-length PHA – is the only one worldwide and means the material can now be used to manufacture food containers and other storage options.

Meredian said it has filed more than 150 patents and applications since its founding. The company commissioned a 15,000 t/y polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) plant in 2012, output of which it plans to ramp up to 300,000 t/y – see Plasteurope.com of 30.10.2012.